MS-900 Study Guide – Microsoft 365 Fundamentals
The MS-900 exam is the only exam needed to get the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification, and an optional exam in all the other Microsoft 365 Paths. This exam is designed for candidates looking to demonstrate foundational knowledge on the considerations and benefits of adopting cloud services in general and the Software as a Service (SaaS) cloud model. This exam will also cover knowledge of available options and benefits gained by implementing Microsoft 365 cloud service offerings.
In this study guide, I will share both free and paid options, whether books, video training or simply links to articles and blog posts. I will not share any dumps as those are against the Microsoft Terms of Service, and by using dumps, we decrease the value of our certifications.
Certification Path
Requirement | Exam Name | Link to Exam on Microsoft Learning | Study Guide |
Required for M365 Fundamentals cert. | MS-900 – Microsoft 365 Fundamentals | https://vladtalkstech.com/ms-900-study-guide-microsoft-365-fundamentals | |
Books
Exam Ref MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Direct from Microsoft, this Exam Ref is the official study guide for the new Microsoft MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification exam.Exam Ref MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals offers professional-level preparation that helps candidates maximize their exam performance and sharpen their skills on the job. It focuses on helping you demonstrate foundational knowledge of cloud services, the Software as a Service (SaaS) cloud model, and Microsoft 365 cloud service offerings, options, and benefits.
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Video Training
NOTE: Pluralsight is a paid resource unlike Channel9 and Microsoft Virtual Academy which are free. The quality they provide is also superior because of all the quality checks they go through, and the instructors are one of the best in the industry. The Pluralsight courses have a link to where you can get a free trial and decide for yourself if paying a subscription or not is worth it, but the 10-day free trial should allow you to view all those courses for free.
Introduction to Microsoft Cloud Services Cloud computing is at the core of every organization’s IT strategy and Microsoft 365 is the most popular cloud productivity suite. This course will teach you the basics and benefits of cloud computing and introduce Microsoft 365. This covers the first objective of both the MS-900 and the AZ-900
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Microsoft 365 Services and Concepts There are currently 180 million monthly active users on Office 365, and over 90% of the Fortune 500 using at least one Microsoft cloud service. In this course, you will cover the different services part of the Microsoft 365 offering.
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Microsoft 365 Security Concepts There are currently 180 million monthly active users on Office 365, and over 90% of the Fortune 500 are using at least one Microsoft cloud service. In this course, you will cover the different security and management services part of Microsft 365.
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Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Microsoft 365 is an intelligent solution that includes Office 365, Windows 10, and Enterprise Mobility + Security, and empowers everyone to be creative and work together, securely. Learn how it supports your org’s digital transformation. |
Instructor-led training (Microsoft Official Courses)
Course MS-900T01-A: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals This course provides foundational knowledge on the considerations and benefits of adopting cloud services and the Software as a Service (SaaS) cloud model, with a specific focus on Microsoft 365 cloud service offerings. You will begin by learning about cloud fundamentals, including an overview of cloud computing and specifically Microsoft cloud services. |
Articles / Blog Posts Per Objective
Understand Cloud Concepts (15%-20%)
- Detail and understand the benefits and considerations of using cloud services
- What is cloud computing? [Microsoft – Azure]
- Understand the different types of cloud services available
- May include but is not limited to: Position Microsoft 365 in a SaaS scenario, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, Public, Private, and Hybrid scenarios
- Cloud Service Models (IaaS, SaaS, PaaS) + How Microsoft Office 365, Azure Fit In [Blog Post]
- What is SaaS? [Microsoft – Azure]
- What is PaaS? [Microsoft – Azure]
- What is IaaS? [Microsoft – Azure]
- What are public, private, and hybrid clouds? [Microsoft – Azure]
Understand Core Microsoft 365 Services and Concepts (30-35%)
- Describe the core Microsoft 365 components
- May include but is not limited to: Windows 10 Enterprise, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Skype for Business Online, Teams, Enterprise Mobility + Security products and technologies
- Compare Windows 10 editions [Microsoft – Windows]
- Exchange Online Service Description [Microsoft – Docs]
- SharePoint Online Service Description [Microsoft – Docs]
- Skype for Business Online Service Description [Microsoft – Docs]
- What is Microsoft Teams? [Youtube Video]
- Welcome to Microsoft Teams [Microsoft Docs]
- Enterprise Mobility + Security Overview [Microsoft]
- Compare core services in Microsoft 365 with corresponding on-premises services
- May include but is not limited to: identify scenarios when usage of M365 services is more beneficial than on-premise services
- Understand the concept of Modern Management
- May include but is not limited to: understand the Windows-as-a-Service (WaaS) model, describe the usage of the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and M365 user portal, understand the Microsoft deployment and release model for Windows and cloud business apps
- Overview of Windows as a service [Microsoft – Docs]
- Windows as a service [Microsoft – Docs]
- Quick guide to Windows as a service [Microsoft – Docs]
- About the Microsoft 365 admin center [Microsoft Docs]
- Deploy and update Windows 10 [Microsoft – Docs]
- Windows 10 release information [Microsoft – Docs]
- Plan your enterprise deployment of Office 365 Pro Plus [Microsoft – Docs]
- Overview of Update Channels for Pro Plus [Microsoft – Docs ]
- Understand Office 365 ProPlus
- May include but is not limited to: compare with on-premise Office 2016 deployment
- About Office 365 ProPlus in the enterprise [Microsoft – Docs – Deploy Office]
- Comparing Office 2016 And Office365 Proplus [Blog]
- Understand collaboration and mobility with Microsoft 365
- May include but is not limited to: understand the concept of effective collaboration with Microsoft 365, understand the concept of enterprise mobility, device management, and application management within an organization
- Collaborate with Office 365 [Microsoft – Office]
- A foundation for modern collaboration: Microsoft 365 bolsters teamwork [eBook – Microsoft]
- What is Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite? [Blog]
- What is Microsoft Intune? [Microsoft Docs]
- Mobility [Microsoft – Services]
- Describe analytics capabilities in Microsoft 365
- Microsoft 365 usage analytics [Microsoft – Docs – Office 365]
- Microsoft MyAnalytics Build better work habits with productivity analytics in Office 365 [Microsoft]
- What is Power BI? [Microsoft Docs]
Understand Security, Compliance, Privacy, and Trust in Microsoft 365 (30-35%)
- Understand security and compliance concepts with Microsoft 365
- May include but is not limited to: understand key components that need to be protected within an organization’s cloud and on-premise infrastructure, understand key security pillars of protection, including identity, documents, network, and devices
- Intelligent security for the modern workplace [Microsoft 365]
- Azure identity management security overview [Microsoft – Azure – Security]
- Understand identity protection and management
- May include but is not limited to: understand concepts of cloud identity, on-premise identity, and hybrid identity, understand document protection needs and capabilities of Azure Information Protection (AIP), understand Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Understanding Office 365 identity and Azure Active Directory [Microsoft – Docs]
- What is Azure Information Protection? [Microsoft – Docs]
- What is Azure Active Directory Identity Protection? [Microsoft – Azure – Active Directory]
- What is hybrid identity? [Microsoft – Azure – Active Directory]
- How it works: Azure Multi-Factor Authentication [Microsoft – Azure – Active Directory]
- Plan for multi-factor authentication for Office 365 Deployments [Microsoft – Docs]
- Understand security usage scenarios and services
- May include but is not limited to: compare security usage scenarios and services available with Azure Active Directory P1, P2, and Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), describe usage scenarios and capabilities for directory synchronization and authentication of on-premises AD with Azure AD, understand how Microsoft 365 services addresses the most common current threats
- Azure Active Directory pricing and Feature Comparison [Azure]
- Active Directory Domain Services Overview [Microsoft Docs]
- What is Azure AD Connect? [Microsoft – Azure – Active Directory]
- Integrate on-premises Active Directory domains with Azure Active Directory [Microsoft – Azure]
- Office 365 threat investigation and response [Microsoft Docs]
- Understand the need for unified platform for device management
- May include but is not limited to: understand Mobile Device Management (MDM), understand Mobile Application Management (MAM), understand capabilities of Intune
- Overview of Mobile Device Management (MDM) for Office 365 [Office Support]
- Definition: mobile application management (MAM) [Blog]
- Frequently asked questions about MAM and app protection [Microsoft Docs]
- What is Microsoft Intune? [Microsoft – Docs]
- What can Intune do for my company? [Microsoft Docs]
- Understand the Service Trust Portal and Compliance Manager
- May include but is not limited to: understand the trust relationship with Microsoft, service locations, confidence in data protection, how to address most common cloud adoption show stoppers
- Microsoft Trust Center [Microsoft]
- Global Datacenters [Microsoft]
- Where is your data located? [Microsoft]
- Service Trust Portal [Microsoft]
- Get started with the Microsoft Service Trust Portal [Microsoft – Docs]
- Microsoft 365 Adoption Guide [eBook – Microsoft]
Understand Microsoft 365 Pricing and Support (25-30%)
- Understand Licensing options available in Microsoft 365
- May include but is not limited to: describe M365 subscriptions and management options, understand key selling points of M365 in segments of productivity, collaboration, security, and compliance, understand the different licensing and payment models available for M365, understand how to determine and implement best practices
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise overview [Microsoft Docs]
- Microsoft 365 Productivity Library [Microsoft Docs]
- A foundation for modern collaboration: Microsoft 365 bolsters teamwork [eBook – Microsoft]
- Understand cloud payment options [Microsoft Support]
- Office 365 Plan Options [Microsoft Docs]
- Microsoft 365 Business Frequently Asked Questions [Microsoft – Docs]
- Plan, predict, and compare pricing
- May include but is not limited to: understand the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) pricing model for Windows and Microsoft cloud services, understand the basics of cost benefit analysis for on-premise vs. cloud, understand billing and bill management options available
- What is the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program? [Microsoft]
- Cloud Solution Provider program – selling in-demand cloud solutions [Microsoft Docs]
- Modern Workplace Solution ROI Calculator [Microsoft]
- The high cost and risk of On-Premise vs. Cloud [Blog]
- Billing [Microsoft Docs]
- View your bill or invoice [Microsoft Docs]
- Azure CSP overview [Microsoft]
- Cost comparison – cloud vs on-premise 2018/19 [Blog]
- Describe support offerings for Microsoft 365 services
- May include but is not limited to: describe how to create a support request for Microsoft 365 services, describe Service Level Agreements (SLAs), understand how to determine service health status
- Office 365 support [Microsoft – Office]
- How To Create New Service Request On Office 365 Support For Business Support [Blog]
- Find help and open a support ticket for Azure Active Directory [Microsoft Docs]
- Support [Microsoft – Docs]
- Service Level Agreement [Microsoft Docs]
- SLA summary for Azure services [Microsoft – Azure]
- SLA for Cloud Services [Microsoft – Azure]
- Service Health and Continuity [Microsoft – Docs]
- How do I check my online service health? [Microsoft – Docs]
- Understand the service lifecycle in Microsoft 365
- May include but is not limited to: understand private, public preview, and General Availability (GA) and their correlation to support policy and pricing
- Modern Lifecycle Policy [Microsoft support]
- Microsoft Lifecycle Policy [Microsoft]
- Software release life cycle (GA) [Wikipedia]
- Access public and private preview features [Blog]
Additional Tips
I think the best thing that you can do after reading this, or even meanwhile, is to open up an E3 or an E5 trial subscription, and try out everything that you read about. Only when you try it, you hit some bugs you really understand how it works in a real life scenario!
Did I miss any cool links in this guide? Let me know in the comments!
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24 Comments
Thank you Vlad for putting all this information about getting certification in one reliable source !! You’re a life saver!!!
Excellent content and very well laid out! your video courses on pluralsight were great!
Hello Vlad,
I would like to know, if you will be updating the information due to Microsoft updating the MS-900 exam on July 8, 2020?
Thanks Vlad
Hi Vlad, I notice the skills measured have changed slightly to include different skills such as Dynamics 365 – just wondering if you’ll be doing an update?
Thank you,
Hello Victor,
I definetly plan to do an update! Been busy with some of the new exams, but updating all of them is on my to-do list!
Hi Vlad,
I was wondering if you have any rough approximation as to when you might release an updated version of the MS 900 study guide?
I see the exam material has been changed as of July 8th and I plan to begin studying for it next week.
This is amazing work by the way, thank you very much!
Hello Jake,
Right now the plan is PL-900 / AZ-104 which should be done by end of month. Next up is updating the MS-900 and AZ-900 after!
Vlad how are you? Very cool name!!
Was wondering, If I hustle each evening after work for about 3hrs for an MS900, how long would this take me
I think within a week or two you would be good to go! MS-900 is really a fundamentals level exam so 15-30h of hustle should be good enough!
Hey Vlad,
Just watched 2 of your courses and so far enjoying it, regardless if the content of the exam has changed.
To help me discover what I need to study in addition, and to compliment your 3 courses on Plural, can you point me in the right direction?
Thomas!
Hello Thomas,
Here is the extra stuff I would reccomend studying:
-Basics of Dynamics 365 / Power Platform (just know the different products inside)
-The different deployment rings for Office ProPlus (M365 Apps) and Windows
-The new names for different products (ex: Endpoint Configuration Manager
-MyAnalytics / Workplace analytics
Super glad you’re enjoyng the content so far! Updating the study guide first is on my to do list for next month!
Hi Vlad,
Many thanks for all your courses and the great work you are doing for the community. Really awesome.
I want to know where to start with my certification.
My background is M365 beginner.
Hello Lilly,
I would definetly start with the MS-900 exam, and after you can look in what part you want to specialize in, Modern Desktop (MD-*** series) , Teams (MS-700) or Exchange (MS-203). You can also learn the fundamentals of Power platform (PL-900) and/or Azure (AZ-900)
Thanks heaps Vlad!
Hi Vlad! Thank you for page! I passed the exam after revewing this page and the videos on PluralSight.
Now that Ive passed the MS-900, what would be the next exam I can prepare for to build off the fundamentals I just learned?
Thank you!
Hello Richard! Congratulations on passing the exam!
Next steps would either be going for the fundamentals of other MS cloud products (AZ-900 for Azure / PL-900 for Power Platform). If you want to specialize into Microsoft 365 you need to choose either “Modern Desktop” (MD-100/101) , E-mail / Exchange (MS-203) , Microsoft Teams & Collab (MS-700) , Security (MS-500) , or Dev (MS-600). There are still some SharePoint exams (MS-300/301) but those are going away Aug 31st. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Hey Vlad,
Thank you for compiling all the topics that we need to study for this exam. Since the change of the exam, I noted your suggestions in the previous comments and the exam has Dynamics 365 questions.
Best of luck in updating this and keep up the good work.
Hey Dawn!
For full transparency right now I am kind of waiting for Microsoft Ignite as that’s where Microsoft usually announces major changes to Microsoft 365 certs/learning. Since that’s ~1 month away I want to see if there’s any major updates before refreshing all of it!
Hi VLAD,
appreciated your detailed topic list, i need to know that is there any course update by micorsoft in MS-900 or can i prepare this course with same material as you shared
I have noticed in Microsoft.docs that names for Advanced Threat protection tools have been changed to “Microsoft Defender”.
Microsoft 365 Defender is the new name for Microsoft Threat Protection. Additionally:
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is the new name for Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection.
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 is the new name for Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection.
Microsoft Defender for Identity is the new name for Azure Advanced Threat Protection.
Learn more. We’ll be updating our products and docs soon, so keep an eye out.
Thank you Vlad for collection of all recommend resources of MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam at a single place.
thanks for sharing very help info about MS-900 exam
Hello Vlad,
This guide is literally hardcoded. I wasn’t expecting to find something like this. Thanks for sharing it!