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Microsoft · AZ-801 · Associate

Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services

The AZ-801 certification validates advanced skills in securing, managing, and monitoring Windows Server environments in hybrid configurations. 50+ AI-generated practice questions with explanations. Free trial, pass guarantee.

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50 Questions
100min Time Limit
700/ 1000 Pass Score

Overview

About the exam

The AZ-801 certification validates advanced skills in securing, managing, and monitoring Windows Server environments in hybrid configurations. It covers Windows Server security, high availability and disaster recovery, server migration using Azure Migrate, monitoring with Azure Monitor, and troubleshooting across on-premises and Azure environments. This is one of two exams required for the Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification.

This certification is designed for senior Windows Server administrators who secure and optimize hybrid infrastructure. Candidates should already have the core infrastructure skills validated by AZ-800 and need experience with advanced security hardening, failover clustering, Azure Site Recovery, and enterprise monitoring solutions.

Exam Domains

What's on the exam

The exam consists of 40–60 questions to be completed in approximately 100 minutes (120 minutes if labs are included). Question types include multiple-choice, multiple-select, drag-and-drop, and hot area formats. Questions emphasize security hardening, disaster recovery configurations, and migration planning. Expect scenarios that require combining Azure services like Azure Migrate and Azure Site Recovery with on-premises Windows Server.

Secure Windows Server on-premises and hybrid infrastructures 28%

Secure Windows Server OS (Exploit Protection, Windows Defender Application Control, Credential Guard, SmartScreen, Group Policies, OSConfig, Windows LAPS), secure hybrid Active Directory (password policies, Entra Password Protection, protected users, RODC security, Defender for Identity, NTLM), remediate security issues with Azure services (Sentinel, Defender for Cloud/Servers), secure networking (Windows Defender Firewall, domain isolation, connection security rules, NSGs), and secure storage (BitLocker, Azure Disk Encryption)

Implement and manage Windows Server high availability 17%

Implement Windows Server failover clusters (on-premises/hybrid/cloud, workgroup clusters, stretch clusters, S2D campus clusters, storage/quorum/network configuration, cluster-aware updating, Scale-Out File Servers, Azure witness), manage failover clustering (cluster-aware updating, node recovery/upgrade, workload failover, Windows Admin Center), and implement Storage Spaces Direct (S2D node upgrade, networking, configuration)

Implement disaster recovery 12%

Manage backup and recovery for Windows Server (Azure Recovery Services Vault, Azure Backup Server, backup policies, VM recovery including encrypted VMs), implement disaster recovery with Azure Site Recovery (network mapping, on-premises/Azure VM configuration, recovery plans, replication), and protect VMs using Hyper-V replicas (host configuration, VM replication, failover)

Migrate servers and workloads 23%

Migrate on-premises storage (Storage Migration Service, Azure file shares), migrate servers using Azure Migrate (appliance deployment, VM/physical server migration), migrate workloads from previous Windows Server versions (IIS, Hyper-V hosts, RDS, DHCP, print servers, in-place upgrade), migrate IIS workloads to Azure (Azure Migrate assessment, Web Apps, containers), and migrate AD forest to Windows Server 2025 (forest restructure, AD Migration Tool)

Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environments 20%

Monitor using Windows Server tools and Azure services (Performance Monitor, Data Collector Sets, Windows Admin Center, System Insights, event logs, Azure Monitor DCRs/alerts, VM Insights), troubleshoot Windows Server issues (connectivity, name resolution, Windows Update, Time Service, deployment/booting failures, performance, VM/Arc extensions, disk encryption, storage), and troubleshoot Active Directory (AD recycle bin, DSRM, SYSVOL recovery, replication, hybrid auth/sync)

Format

What to expect

multiple choice
36%
command
12%
ordering
10%
drag drop
10%
troubleshooting
10%
multiple response
8%
dropdown selection
8%
true false
6%

Watch out

Where candidates struggle

This advanced exam assumes mastery of AZ-800 content. Candidates who haven't completed AZ-800 preparation first often lack the foundational knowledge needed for these more complex hybrid security and migration scenarios.

  1. 01
    Server Hardening — Not understanding Windows Server security baselines, credential guard, and advanced threat protection configurations.
  2. 02
    Failover Clustering — Struggling with Windows Server Failover Clustering quorum models, witness configurations, and cluster-aware updating.
  3. 03
    Azure Site Recovery — Confusing Azure Site Recovery vs Azure Backup and not knowing replication, failover, and failback procedures for hybrid DR.
  4. 04
    Migration Planning — Overlooking Azure Migrate assessment and migration tool capabilities for physical and virtual server migrations.
  5. 05
    Monitoring Integration — Not configuring Azure Monitor Agent, Log Analytics workspaces, and Windows Admin Center for comprehensive hybrid monitoring.

Details

Exam logistics

Delivered via Pearson VUE online or at testing centers. Available in English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, German, and Spanish. The certification is valid for 1 year with a free renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn.

Delivery Pearson VUE online proctored or at authorized testing centers worldwide
Retake policy 24-hour wait after the first attempt, 14 days between subsequent attempts, maximum 5 attempts per exam within a 12-month period
Validity 1 year
Career outcomes Senior Windows Server Administrator, Hybrid Cloud Security Engineer, Infrastructure Migration Specialist, Disaster Recovery Engineer
Renewal Free renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn, available starting 6 months before expiration. Must be completed before the certification expires.
Study time ~50 hours
Official guide View on vendor site

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