F3. Operating systems, security and support

Outcome: you can install, configure and support Windows, find your way around macOS and Linux desktops, remove malware, and take a support ticket from first report to close.

Skills: Windows editions and installation, Settings and Control Panel, Task Manager, Event Viewer, Device Manager, Disk Management, Safe Mode and recovery, command prompt and PowerShell basics, users, groups, NTFS and share permissions, macOS and Linux desktop basics, physical and logical security, malware removal, data destruction, scripting basics, remote access tools, ticketing, change management, backups, safety and professionalism.

Labs

1. In the Windows 11 VM, create a standard user and an admin user, share a folder with different NTFS and share permissions, and test access as each user.
2. Work the tools: find a stopped service in Event Viewer, a missing driver in Device Manager, shrink a volume and add a partition in Disk Management, and boot into Safe Mode and the recovery options.
3. Install an Ubuntu desktop VM and do the same user and permission tasks from the terminal. Note the differences.
4. Malware removal: take a snapshot, trigger Microsoft Defender with the harmless EICAR test file, and follow CompTIA's malware removal steps in order, writing each one down. Revert the snapshot.
5. Backups: set up File History, delete a file and restore it.
6. Support practice: a partner sends three user tickets (can't print, slow PC, can't reach a share). Work each one in a ticket log, including the message you'd send the user.

Prove it: the ticket log, a permissions test table (user, folder, expected, actual) and the malware removal write-up.

Certs: A+ Core 2 (operating systems 28%, security 28%, software troubleshooting 23%, operational procedures 21%) and Network+ security (14%).

Gate: A+ Core 2 (220-1202) happens here, with one review week.

Gate: Network+ (N10-009) follows, with two review weeks: redo the F2 labs from memory, then practice exams.