CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202)

For IT leaders: Help desk and desktop support staff now handle Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, and iOS, often on the same shift. When security basics or troubleshooting steps vary from tech to tech, tickets get escalated, access controls drift, and onboarding takes longer than it should.

Role fit: This Beginner-level course suits new hires, staff transitioning into IT roles, and Tier 1 technicians who need a consistent baseline before taking on more responsibility. It pairs with CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) for full A+ certification.

Time investment: The course runs about 48.6 hours across 49 skills. Many skills end with a hands-on validation lab, so plan extra time for those. Most teams spread it over several weeks rather than assigning it all at once.

Risk and compliance: Your team will cover practical access-control and OS security basics, including least privilege concepts, share and NTFS permissions, Active Directory basics, and malware removal workflows. This helps technicians follow access policies instead of working around them.

Change management: Lessons on SOPs, onboarding and offboarding checklists, ticketing, SLAs, and knowledge base articles help new technicians follow documented processes from day one.

How CBT Nuggets supports it: Virtual Labs let learners practice domain joins, file share permissions, and Linux terminal work in safe environments. Practice Exams help gauge readiness before the 220-1202 exam.

IT teams complete this training to handle the day-to-day support work that keeps users productive and the organization secure. The course is built around scenarios your help desk and desktop support staff face every week, with hands-on validation labs that mirror the demos.

• Faster, more consistent onboarding and offboarding: Your team learns to follow SOPs and checklists for setting up a new laptop, joining it to the domain, creating user accounts, and installing patches and software. Every new hire gets the same reliable setup.
• Tighter access control with fewer permission mistakes: Technicians build familiarity with Active Directory user accounts, security groups, and share and NTFS permissions for file shares. They also reinforce least-privilege practices so access aligns with documented job needs without overgranting permissions.
• Quicker resolution of mobile and endpoint tickets: Technicians learn a structured approach to app and OS update failures. That includes checking storage and OS compatibility, using MDM to block a buggy app version, ruling out VPN restrictions, and avoiding risky sideloading.
• Safer automation and multi-OS support: Your team gains working fluency in the Windows command line, the macOS Terminal, and the Linux terminal. They also learn how to test scripts so a wrong file path or an infinite loop doesn't delete data or crash systems.

The result is a support team that resolves issues with less escalation, protects user data and PII, and follows documented policy. That gives Team Leads more consistent service quality across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Knowledge

• How Windows 11, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, and iOS differ in interface, tools, and support needs, including the macOS Dock, Launchpad, Continuity features, and Linux terminal access
• OS installation methods and types, including network boot with WDS, multiboot, and when a Type 1 hypervisor is the better choice for testing
• Least privilege, user access controls, and why elevated permissions require documented approval
• How Active Directory organizes users, groups, and devices, and how share and NTFS permissions work together
• Malware types, social engineering, and data disposal, plus the difference between updates, patches, and rapid security responses
• Operational practices such as SOPs, onboarding and offboarding checklists, policy acknowledgment, and proper handling of PII

Ability

• Join Windows workstations to a domain and configure file shares scoped to specific users and organizational units
• Use Windows administrative and command-line tools, along with the Linux terminal, to inspect processes and diagnose issues
• Troubleshoot mobile OS and app problems, including update failures, storage limits, VPN conflicts, Wi-Fi authentication, and sideloaded IPA or APK files
• Use MDM to control which OS and app versions devices are allowed to install
• Write and test basic scripts to automate repetitive tasks, and avoid risks like wrong file paths or infinite loops
• Document work using SOPs and checklists so support is consistent across the team