Exam AZ-802: Microsoft Windows Server Administrator Associate

Professionals who previously prepared for AZ-800 and AZ-801 will find substantial continuity in the Windows Server administration concepts covered by AZ-802.

The major difference is the single-exam structure. Instead of preparing separately for the previous core infrastructure and advanced services exams, AZ-802 brings the relevant Windows Server administration responsibilities together into one exam path.

The certification covers the broader administration lifecycle:

Deploy → Configure → Secure → Manage → Monitor → Troubleshoot

This makes the certification path easier to understand for professionals who want to demonstrate comprehensive Windows Server administration skills across hybrid environments.

Microsoft confirms that AZ-800 and AZ-801 are scheduled to retire on September 30, 2026, while AZ-802 remains the available path for the Windows Server Administrator Associate certification. 

• Build comprehensive Windows Server administration skills

• Learn how to manage Windows Server across on-premises, Azure, and hybrid environments

• Strengthen your Active Directory Domain Services knowledge

• Learn how to manage Windows Server using modern administrative tools

• Understand Hyper-V and Windows Server virtualization

• Build practical knowledge of hybrid networking and DNS

• Learn how to manage Windows Server storage and file services

• Strengthen Windows Server security and hardening skills

• Learn how to monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environments

• Understand how Azure services extend Windows Server management

• Prepare for the next generation of Windows Server administration roles

• Build skills that remain relevant across traditional and hybrid infrastructure environments

The AZ-802 exam measures the following major skill areas:  

• Deploy and manage AD DS

• Manage Windows Server instances and workloads in a hybrid environment 

• Manage virtual machines

• Implement and manage an on-premises and hybrid networking infrastructure

• Manage storage and file services

• Secure Windows Server infrastructure 

• Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environments

• Deploying and managing Active Directory Domain Services

• Managing domain controllers, domains, forests, and trusts

• Configuring Group Policy and Group Policy Preferences

• Managing Windows Server in hybrid environments

• Using Windows Admin Center and PowerShell for administration

• Connecting Windows Server environments with Azure using Azure Arc

• Managing updates with Azure Update Manager

• Managing Hyper-V and virtual machines

• Managing Windows Server VMs in Azure

• Configuring hybrid DNS and DHCP infrastructure

• Managing Azure Files and Windows Server file shares

• Implementing Storage Spaces, Storage Spaces Direct, and Storage Replica

• Configuring SMB, DFS, iSCSI, and file-system technologies

• Securing Windows Server and Active Directory

• Implementing Windows security controls and Defender for Servers

• Monitoring Windows Server using Windows tools and Azure services

• Troubleshooting Active Directory, networking, storage, performance, and virtualization issues

• Deploy and Manage Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)

• Manage Windows Server in Hybrid Environments

• Manage Hyper-V and Azure Virtual Machines

• Manage On-Premises and Hybrid Windows Server Networking

• Manage Windows Server Storage and File Services

• Secure, Monitor, and Troubleshoot Windows Server

AZ-802 is best suited for learners who already have some practical Windows Server administration experience.

Microsoft recommends familiarity with technologies including Windows Admin Center, Hyper-V, PowerShell, Azure Arc, Azure Monitor, Azure Update Manager, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and Active Directory Domain Services.  

Experience with the following will be especially helpful:

• Windows Server administration

• Active Directory

• PowerShell

• DNS and DHCP

• Windows Server networking

• Hyper-V

• Windows Server storage

• Azure virtual machines

• Azure administration

• Hybrid cloud concepts

• Basic security and troubleshooting

There are no formal prerequisites for the certification.

However, AZ-802 is not intended as a completely beginner-level Windows Server course. Learners will benefit significantly from having hands-on exposure to Windows Server administration before attempting the exam.

A good starting foundation includes:

• Basic Windows Server administration

• Active Directory fundamentals

• Networking fundamentals

• PowerShell fundamentals

• Virtualization concepts

• Azure fundamentals

• Basic cloud and hybrid infrastructure concepts

• Comprehensive Windows Server administration coverage

• Focus on on-premises, Azure, and hybrid environments

• Strong Active Directory and identity administration coverage

• Practical Hyper-V and virtualization concepts

• Hybrid networking, DNS, and DHCP administration

• Windows Server and Azure storage management

• Windows Server security and hardening

• Azure Arc-enabled hybrid server management

• PowerShell and Windows Admin Center administration

• Monitoring and troubleshooting coverage

• Azure-integrated Windows Server management

• Aligned with the current AZ-802 exam objectives

• This Course is valid for 2 years from the date of purchase

• Windows Server Administration

• Active Directory Domain Services

• Group Policy Management

• PowerShell Administration

• Windows Admin Center

• Azure Arc

• Hyper-V Administration

• Azure VM Management

• Windows Server Networking

• DNS and DHCP Administration

• Azure Files

• Windows Server Storage

• Storage Spaces

• Storage Replica

• Windows Server Security

• Microsoft Defender for Servers

• Azure Monitor

• Windows Server Troubleshooting

• Hybrid Infrastructure Management

This course is a strong fit for:

• Windows Server Administrators

• System Administrators

• Azure Administrators

• Hybrid Cloud Administrators

• Infrastructure Engineers

• Windows Infrastructure Engineers

• IT Support Engineers

• Cloud Engineers

• Platform Engineers

• Network Administrators working with Windows environments

• Identity and Access Administrators

• IT professionals transitioning from on-premises infrastructure to hybrid cloud

• Professionals preparing for the Microsoft Windows Server Administrator Associate certification

• Build stronger end-to-end Windows Server administration skills

• Understand how traditional Windows infrastructure connects with Azure

• Strengthen your Active Directory expertise

• Improve your PowerShell-based administration capabilities

• Develop practical hybrid infrastructure knowledge

• Learn how to manage Windows Server workloads in Azure

• Strengthen virtualization and storage administration skills

• Improve your ability to secure Windows Server environments

• Develop structured troubleshooting skills

• Prepare for modern Windows Server administrator responsibilities

• Build knowledge relevant to both on-premises and cloud infrastructure roles

The skills covered in AZ-802 are directly applicable to scenarios such as:

• Manage Active Directory in Hybrid Environments

• Manage Hybrid Windows Servers with Azure Arc

• Manage Hyper-V and Windows Server Virtualization

• Manage Enterprise Windows Server File Services

• Secure Windows Server Infrastructure

• Monitor and Troubleshoot Windows Server Environments

AZ-802 can support career growth toward roles such as:

• Windows Server Administrator

• Systems Administrator

• Windows Infrastructure Engineer

• Hybrid Cloud Administrator

• Azure Administrator

• Infrastructure Engineer

• Cloud Infrastructure Engineer

• Platform Engineer

• IT Operations Engineer

• Windows Server Support Engineer

• Identity and Infrastructure Administrator

It can also provide a foundation for broader career paths involving:

• Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure

• Azure Administration

• Infrastructure Security

• Cloud Migration

• Enterprise Systems Administration

• Platform Engineering

• Windows Infrastructure Architecture