Microsoft is undertaking a substantial overhaul of its certification structure, with an extensive list of 55 exams and 29 certifications scheduled for retirement. These changes align with Microsoft’s continued push to stay ahead in an evolving IT landscape, fueled by the release of new technologies such as SharePoint 2016, SQL Server 2016, and the highly anticipated Windows Server 2016.

This broad restructuring signals Microsoft’s move toward more modern, cloud-ready, and enterprise-relevant credentials, replacing legacy certifications that no longer reflect current business or technological needs.

Let’s break down the scope of these changes, what certifications are impacted, and how IT professionals can prepare for the transition.

Understanding Azure Blueprints: A Foundation for Governance

In an increasingly complex cloud landscape, maintaining compliance, consistency, and control across large-scale cloud environments has become one of the top priorities for enterprises. Microsoft Azure addresses this critical need with a powerful native governance tool known as Azure Blueprints. As a strategic solution within Azure’s broader governance and security suite, Blueprints enable organizations to define repeatable sets of policies, role-based access controls, and infrastructure templates across multiple subscriptions.

This article explores the intricacies of Azure Blueprints, delves into their practical use cases, and analyzes their role in enforcing organizational standards and regulatory requirements. We’ll also examine how governance technologies like Azure Blueprints coexist with Microsoft’s certification strategies, particularly as legacy certifications are phased out.

What Are Azure Blueprints?

Azure Blueprints are a governance mechanism designed to streamline the deployment and management of Azure resources across cloud environments. Rather than configuring each environment manually, organizations can use Blueprints as reusable templates that encapsulate a predefined set of:

Role Assignments

Azure Policy definitions and assignments

Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates

Resource Groups

These components collectively establish a structured framework to ensure that resources are consistently deployed in compliance with both internal standards and external regulations such as ISO 27001, HIPAA, NIST, or GDPR.

Blueprints are particularly valuable for large enterprises managing multiple Azure subscriptions. By allowing architects to stamp out consistent environments—each equipped with built-in controls—Blueprints reduce configuration drift, minimize manual errors, and accelerate time-to-deployment for secure and compliant cloud infrastructure.

Why Governance Matters in the Cloud

As enterprises adopt multi-cloud or hybrid-cloud models, enforcing governance is no longer optional—it’s essential. The risk of misconfigured environments, unauthorized access, or non-compliance with corporate or regulatory standards can lead to significant financial and reputational damage.

Azure Blueprints provide a robust defense against these risks by giving IT administrators the ability to:

Enforce standardized configurations across teams and business units

Automatically apply security controls and policies to new deployments

Monitor and audit compliance through Azure Policy and Azure Monitor integrations

Prevent changes to critical configurations via resource locks

Azure Blueprints vs. ARM Templates and Azure Policy

While Azure Resource Manager templates and Azure Policy are foundational tools in the Azure governance toolkit, they serve different roles from Blueprints.

ARM templates focus on deploying infrastructure but don’t inherently apply governance or policy.

Azure Policies enforce rules on existing resources but don’t package configurations or roles.

Azure Blueprints combine the strengths of both tools—allowing predefined infrastructure, policy, access control, and even naming conventions to be bundled into a deployable governance unit.

In short, Blueprints offer a “policy-as-code” and “compliance-as-code” approach, fostering automation and governance hand in hand.

Real-World Applications of Azure Blueprints

Azure Blueprints are instrumental in a wide variety of real-world scenarios, including:

1. Enterprise-Scale Deployment

Large enterprises with dozens of subscriptions can deploy the same blueprint across departments or geographic regions. This guarantees a uniform set of compliance rules and architecture across the organization.

2. Regulatory Compliance

Heavily regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and government can use Blueprints to ensure adherence to compliance frameworks such as FedRAMP or CIS Benchmarks.

3. Dev/Test Environment Management

Development teams often require quick provisioning of test environments. Blueprints help spin up fully configured, policy-compliant dev/test environments with minimal oversight, reducing time-to-value.

4. Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) Initiatives

Organizations with a centralized cloud strategy can use Azure Blueprints to establish guardrails, helping various business units innovate within safe boundaries set by the cloud governance team.

Versioning and Locking in Azure Blueprints

Blueprints support versioning, allowing organizations to track changes over time. This is essential for auditing and rollback purposes. In addition, administrators can lock resources deployed via a Blueprint, protecting them from accidental or unauthorized modification or deletion. This feature ensures the environment remains intact and aligned with organizational goals.

Deployment Workflow: How Azure Blueprints Work

The deployment of a Blueprint follows a clear workflow:

Create the Blueprint Definition: Define what the Blueprint includes—such as policies, resource groups, and templates.

Assign the Blueprint: Apply the Blueprint to one or more Azure subscriptions.

Track Compliance: Monitor the deployment and ensure all resources remain compliant through Azure Policy.

This declarative approach enhances visibility and control across an organization’s Azure estate.

Integrating Azure Blueprints into DevOps and CI/CD Pipelines

Azure Blueprints align perfectly with DevOps best practices. By integrating Blueprint deployments into continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, organizations can:

Automate infrastructure provisioning as part of release processes

Ensure every environment is deployed with consistent security policies

Streamline collaboration between development, security, and operations (DevSecOps)

Using tools like Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or Terraform alongside Blueprints creates a reliable, policy-driven infrastructure-as-code model that fosters scalability, agility, and auditability.

Azure Blueprints and Certification Evolution

As Microsoft modernizes its certification structure, older exams such as those based on Windows 8 and Server 2008 are being phased out to reflect today’s cloud-first approach. The growing adoption of governance tools like Azure Blueprints plays a crucial role in this shift, redefining the competencies that Microsoft certifications aim to validate.

For example, previous certifications like MCSA: Windows 8 focused heavily on device configuration, local support, and legacy infrastructures. However, as cloud administration and compliance become more critical, newer certifications incorporate governance and automation capabilities, including Azure Policy, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and Blueprint integration.

Windows Certification Updates: Legacy Exams Retiring

The evolution of certifications mirrors the direction of cloud platform adoption. With the introduction of the Windows 10 exam (70-698: Installing and Configuring Windows 10), Microsoft has redirected its certification roadmap toward modern operating environments.

Exams retiring by December 31, 2016:

70-687: Configuring Windows 8.1

70-688: Supporting Windows 8.1

70-689: Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA: Windows 8

70-692: Upgrading Your Windows XP Skills to MCSA: Windows 8

Certification retired:

This migration reflects a deliberate push from Microsoft to encourage IT professionals to validate skills in modern environments that embrace mobility, automation, and cloud compliance. IT support engineers, system administrators, and desktop deployment specialists must now adapt to new certification paths that involve cloud integration and governance knowledge—domains where Azure Blueprints are increasingly relevant.

Windows Server: Retirement of Windows Server 2008 Exams and Credentials

As the technological landscape continues to evolve toward cloud-based solutions and hybrid infrastructures, Microsoft has officially announced the retirement of several long-standing certification exams and credentials associated with Windows Server 2008. These changes are a direct response to the platform’s age, limitations in modern IT environments, and the availability of newer, more secure, and scalable server technologies such as Windows Server 2016.

Embracing the New: Transitioning to Windows Server 2016 and Beyond

Windows Server 2016 represents a significant leap forward in terms of virtualization, security, identity management, and support for cloud-native workloads. With this modern server operating system now accompanied by its official courseware—Microsoft Official Courses (MOCs) 20740, 20741, and 20742—Microsoft is preparing the global IT community to move away from outdated server certifications and embrace more advanced, role-based learning paths.

The focus of the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 certification is on real-world, enterprise-ready scenarios that reflect current best practices in system administration, networking, identity services, and storage. This strategic shift aligns with Microsoft’s overarching cloud-first, mobile-first approach that prioritizes agility, automation, and integrated security.

Phased Retirement Timeline

To ensure a smooth transition for IT professionals still maintaining or studying for Windows Server 2008 certifications, Microsoft has offered a staggered retirement schedule:

Extended Retirement — December 31, 2016:

98-365: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals
A core entry-level exam, 98-365 introduced candidates to server infrastructure concepts, including Active Directory, server roles, storage, and general maintenance. While foundational, this exam no longer aligns with modern enterprise needs for cloud integration and real-time threat management.

Final Retirement — July 31, 2017:

70-640: Configuring Active Directory
This exam covered the essentials of implementing and maintaining Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) in Windows Server 2008 environments, including user and group management, Group Policy, and certificate services.

70-642: Configuring Network Infrastructure
Focused on IP addressing, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, and firewall configurations, this exam equipped professionals to manage network services in Windows Server 2008 environments.

70-646: Windows Server Administration
A capstone exam, it validated a candidate’s skills in server deployment, management, and maintenance, rounding out the core competencies for achieving the MCSA: Windows Server 2008.

Certification Being Retired:

MCSA: Windows Server 2008

The removal of this certification signals the end of an era and reflects Microsoft’s prioritization of more contemporary, scalable, and secure platforms for enterprise infrastructure.

Why This Retirement Matters

The retirement of these exams is not simply a procedural update; it marks a significant pivot in the professional development roadmap for system administrators, IT managers, and cloud engineers. Here’s why this change is impactful:

1. Security Demands Have Changed

With cybersecurity threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, legacy platforms like Windows Server 2008 pose serious vulnerabilities due to outdated patching mechanisms and lack of integration with Microsoft’s latest security frameworks.

2. Cloud and Hybrid Integration Is Now Essential

Modern infrastructures demand hybrid readiness. Windows Server 2016 introduces seamless integration with Microsoft Azure, enabling functionalities such as Azure Site Recovery, hybrid identity with Azure Active Directory, and backup services—features absent in Server 2008.

3. Evolving Roles Require Updated Skills

Today’s IT roles have shifted from routine maintenance to automation, configuration management, and scalable architecture planning. Modern certifications reflect these changes by embedding concepts like PowerShell scripting, Hyper-V, Nano Server, and Containers.

Preparing for the Future with Microsoft’s New Learning Paths

In place of the retiring Windows Server 2008 certifications, professionals should consider the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 or newer role-based certifications such as:

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate

Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate

These modern certifications reflect Microsoft’s strategic focus on preparing IT professionals for the demands of hybrid data centers, identity governance, and cloud-native operations.

Recommendations for IT Professionals

If you currently hold a Windows Server 2008 certification or were preparing for one of the retiring exams, here are some practical steps to maintain your competitive edge:

Complete Exams Before Retirement Dates
If you are close to completing the MCSA: Windows Server 2008, consider finishing it before the final retirement window. This certification will remain valid post-retirement but will eventually carry reduced weight in job markets compared to newer credentials.

Enroll in Updated Training Courses
Platforms like Examlabs offer updated learning materials, practice exams, and training paths for Windows Server 2016 and Azure-related certifications. These resources are ideal for professionals looking to reskill and stay relevant.

Understand Your Role’s Future Requirements
Assess the technical roadmap of your organization. Are you moving to the cloud? Adopting hybrid models? Transitioning to containerized workloads? Your certification plan should mirror these shifts.

Build Cross-Functional Knowledge
As infrastructure merges with development and security disciplines (DevSecOps), expanding your expertise in scripting, automation tools like Ansible and Terraform, and compliance management through tools like Azure Blueprints can make you a more versatile asset.

The End of an Era and the Start of a New Chapter

The retirement of Windows Server 2008 exams represents a crucial shift in Microsoft’s certification strategy. While nostalgic for many IT veterans, this transition is necessary to align professional skills with emerging enterprise demands.

The move from static server installations to agile, cloud-connected ecosystems demands updated knowledge, greater automation proficiency, and a mindset geared toward proactive governance. Certifications are not merely symbolic—they shape how professionals evolve with technology.

As you prepare for this next chapter, leverage trusted learning partners like Examlabs to stay up to date with Microsoft’s newest certification standards. Equip yourself with the skills, tools, and frameworks needed to thrive in today’s dynamic IT landscape—and be ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges head-on.

SharePoint Certification Evolution: Retirement of SharePoint 2010 Credentials

As Microsoft accelerates its commitment to modern cloud-first solutions, the shift toward platforms like SharePoint 2016 and Office 365 has signaled the end of the road for legacy certifications tied to SharePoint 2010. This transition represents a strategic decision by Microsoft to realign its certification ecosystem with evolving enterprise collaboration demands, security models, and integration with hybrid cloud infrastructure.

By officially retiring the exams and credentials associated with SharePoint 2010, Microsoft is encouraging IT professionals, developers, and administrators to adopt next-generation technologies that offer better scalability, automation, and cross-platform capability.

In this comprehensive update, we examine which SharePoint 2010 certifications are being sunset, why the change matters, and what professionals can do to remain relevant in the modern collaboration landscape.

SharePoint 2016: A Turning Point for Collaboration Technology

SharePoint has long served as Microsoft’s flagship platform for document management, intranet portals, and enterprise collaboration. With the release of SharePoint 2016, the platform took a significant leap forward in supporting hybrid environments, deeper Office 365 integration, mobile-first access, and simplified compliance.

This evolution means that older SharePoint versions, such as SharePoint 2010, are no longer aligned with Microsoft’s strategic direction—especially when it comes to cloud-native capabilities, unified search, data loss prevention, and real-time document collaboration.

Consequently, Microsoft has announced the retirement of multiple SharePoint 2010 exams and certifications, effectively closing the chapter on a generation of on-premises collaboration tools.

SharePoint 2010 Exams Scheduled for Retirement

To reflect these advancements, the following SharePoint 2010-related exams will no longer be available after the dates indicated:

Exams retiring by July 31, 2016:

70-573: Application Development with SharePoint 2010
Covered foundational development topics including working with SharePoint object models, event receivers, and deployment packages.

70-576: Designing and Developing SharePoint 2010 Applications
Focused on architectural decisions, scalability, and integrating business data with SharePoint applications.

70-667: Configuring SharePoint 2010
Targeted at IT professionals responsible for SharePoint deployment, service applications, site collection configuration, and backup/recovery.

70-668: SharePoint 2010 Administration
Concentrated on enterprise-level administration, governance planning, monitoring, and performance tuning in SharePoint 2010 farms.

Exam retiring by March 31, 2017:

70-517: MCSD SharePoint Applications Recertification
This exam was designed to recertify experienced SharePoint developers who already held MCSD credentials. Its retirement hints at a broader reevaluation of recertification requirements within the Microsoft certification program.

Certifications Being Retired

In conjunction with the exams, the following legacy certifications are being discontinued:

MCTS / MCITP: SharePoint 2010 Administrator / Configuring
Recognized individuals proficient in deploying, managing, and maintaining SharePoint 2010 environments.

MCPD: SharePoint 2010 Developer
Validated skills in custom solution development and business process automation within SharePoint 2010.

MCSD: SharePoint Applications
Focused on advanced development using Visual Studio and SharePoint’s client-side and server-side object models.

Retirement of these credentials underscores Microsoft’s intention to focus on modern collaboration solutions tightly integrated with Microsoft 365 services and Azure-based tools.

Why Are These SharePoint 2010 Certifications Being Retired?

The deprecation of SharePoint 2010 certifications reflects the fundamental shift in how businesses approach digital collaboration and enterprise content management. Here are some key reasons behind this strategic retirement:

1. Outdated Architecture

SharePoint 2010 was developed before cloud computing became the norm. It lacks native support for hybrid deployments, modern authentication protocols like OAuth, and real-time collaboration features that are now standard in SharePoint Online and SharePoint 2016.

2. Security and Compliance Concerns

With increasing regulatory demands, organizations must ensure their content management platforms support built-in compliance controls. SharePoint 2010 does not offer robust tools for GDPR, HIPAA, or NIST compliance—unlike newer versions integrated with Microsoft Purview and Azure Policy.

3. Limited Mobility and Integration

Modern workforces expect seamless access to content from any device, anywhere. SharePoint 2010’s rigid infrastructure and legacy user interfaces hinder the mobile experience, while SharePoint 2016 and SharePoint Online are optimized for mobile and cross-platform accessibility.

4. Shift Toward Hybrid and Cloud-First Environments

Microsoft’s strategic direction revolves around Microsoft 365 and Azure. As organizations migrate to hybrid cloud or full-cloud solutions, maintaining legacy SharePoint environments becomes increasingly impractical and expensive.

The Rise of SharePoint Online and Modern Microsoft 365 Certifications

As older certifications fade away, Microsoft has introduced a new generation of role-based certifications that reflect real-world job functions in today’s IT environments.

For those focused on SharePoint and Microsoft 365, the following certifications are now recommended:

Microsoft Certified: Teams Administrator Associate
Ideal for professionals working with Microsoft Teams and SharePoint Online integration.

Microsoft Certified: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer
Designed for engineers who manage unified communications and SharePoint Online interactions.

Microsoft Certified: Microsoft 365 Certified Enterprise Administrator Expert
A top-tier credential for administrators overseeing Microsoft 365 services, including SharePoint Online, Teams, Exchange Online, and security/compliance features.

These certifications are designed with an emphasis on cloud collaboration, information protection, automated workflows, and hybrid identity management, replacing the static, on-premises focus of SharePoint 2010-era certifications.

Recommendations for Professionals Holding Retiring SharePoint Credentials

If you currently possess one or more SharePoint 2010 certifications, or were studying toward them, here’s what you can do to stay current:

1. Transition to Microsoft 365 Certification Paths

Align your skills with the Microsoft 365 platform, especially if your organization has already transitioned or is planning to transition to the cloud. SharePoint Online and Teams are core components of digital workplaces today.

2. Leverage Training Platforms Like Examlabs

Examlabs offers up-to-date training resources, exam simulators, and practice labs to help professionals transition smoothly into the new Microsoft certification landscape. Whether you’re studying for the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate or aiming for expert-level enterprise admin credentials, Examlabs’s tools can support your learning journey.

3. Stay Informed on Certification Changes

Microsoft continues to evolve its learning platform and exam objectives to keep up with the fast pace of innovation. Subscribe to certification news, regularly check for updates, and use community-driven resources to remain proactive.

4. Upskill in Related Technologies

Modern collaboration involves much more than document storage. Learning about Power Platform, OneDrive for Business, Azure Information Protection, Microsoft Viva, and SharePoint Framework (SPFx) will make you a more versatile IT professional.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Collaboration Is Cloud-Connected

The retirement of SharePoint 2010 certifications is not the end of SharePoint careers—but rather the beginning of a new era built on cloud-based collaboration, automation, and intelligent content discovery. The way we work has changed dramatically, and the tools that support collaboration must evolve to keep pace.

Microsoft’s decision to phase out legacy exams and certifications tied to SharePoint 2010 underscores its broader vision of a connected, secure, and intelligent digital workspace. Professionals who embrace this vision by upgrading their skills and certifications will remain indispensable assets in modern enterprises.

Let Examlabs guide your certification journey with expert learning paths, trusted practice tests, and targeted exam preparation. Stay ahead of the curve and build your future on a foundation of modern, cloud-optimized collaboration technologies.

The landscape of enterprise data management is undergoing a transformative evolution. With organizations embracing more intelligent applications, real-time data processing, and hybrid cloud capabilities, the need for professionals skilled in modern data platforms has never been greater. In response to this shift, Microsoft has launched a robust set of new certifications for SQL Server 2016, while simultaneously initiating the retirement of several legacy exams and certifications aligned with SQL Server 2008 and upgrade paths to SQL Server 2012.

This deliberate reconfiguration of Microsoft’s certification roadmap reflects a strategic focus on cloud-optimized, analytics-driven, and security-hardened data solutions. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the details of the upcoming exam retirements, the significance of SQL Server 2016 certifications, and why IT professionals should align their skills with the future of data architecture.

Why the Shift to SQL Server 2016 Matters

SQL Server 2016 marked a turning point in Microsoft’s database platform development. Unlike its predecessors, this version of SQL Server introduced several enterprise-grade enhancements that bridged traditional database management with modern analytics and hybrid-cloud infrastructure.

Key Features Introduced in SQL Server 2016:

In-Memory OLTP for performance gains in transactional workloads

Always Encrypted for advanced security at the column level

Row-Level Security and Dynamic Data Masking to comply with regulatory mandates

PolyBase integration to query Hadoop and Azure Blob Storage directly from T-SQL

Native support for R Services to enable advanced statistical modeling

Optimized temporal tables for historical data tracking

Built-in JSON support, stretching SQL’s capabilities to semi-structured data

Stretch Database for archiving cold data to Azure without rewriting applications

These innovations made SQL Server 2016 not just a data platform, but a strategic asset for businesses engaging in cloud migration, big data processing, predictive analytics, and compliance-heavy operations.

As a result, Microsoft’s certification program also needed to evolve to reflect these technical capabilities and real-world use cases.

Outdated SQL Server Certifications Being Retired

As of July 31, 2016, Microsoft officially began retiring older exams and certifications related to SQL Server 2008 and early upgrade paths to SQL Server 2012. These exams, once considered essential for database administrators and BI professionals, are now outdated given the advancement of new database paradigms.

Exams Retiring:

70-432: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 – Implementation and Maintenance
Covered database installation, configuration, backup, recovery, and monitoring. No longer reflective of cloud integration or hybrid storage capabilities.

70-448: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 – Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
Focused on SSIS, SSRS, and SSAS development within SQL Server 2008. Obsolete given the introduction of Power BI, Azure Data Factory, and newer SSRS capabilities.

70-457 & 70-458: Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012
These upgrade exams allowed legacy-certified professionals to bridge their knowledge from 2008 to 2012. With SQL Server 2016’s emergence, even SQL Server 2012 certifications are becoming less relevant.

Certifications Retiring:

MCITP: Database Administrator – SQL Server 2008

MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer – SQL Server 2008

MCSA Upgrade Path for SQL Server

The New Path: SQL Server 2016 Certifications

To replace outdated credentials, Microsoft introduced a trio of MCSA-level SQL Server 2016 certifications tailored to specialized roles within data operations.

1. MCSA: SQL Server 2016 – Database Development

Validates skills in writing T-SQL queries, managing transactions, optimizing code performance, and implementing database objects. Ideal for database developers who design and build robust, scalable applications.

2. MCSA: SQL Server 2016 – Database Administration

Focuses on installing, configuring, and managing SQL Server instances, implementing high availability, disaster recovery, and automating tasks using PowerShell. Suitable for administrators who ensure database reliability and performance.

3. MCSA: SQL Server 2016 – Business Intelligence Development

Covers building enterprise-scale data solutions using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). Intended for BI developers involved in ETL pipelines, data visualization, and enterprise reporting.

These certifications are strategically designed to mirror real-world job roles and are structured to serve as stepping stones to MCSE: Data Management and Analytics, Microsoft’s expert-level credential for data professionals.

Why IT Professionals Must Transition Now

Holding a legacy SQL Server 2008 certification in today’s cloud-centric workplace can limit your career progression. As organizations increasingly adopt Azure SQL, hybrid deployments, and data governance frameworks, your expertise must evolve accordingly.

Key Reasons to Upgrade:

Enhanced Job Market Relevance: Employers now prioritize certifications aligned with cloud and analytics capabilities.

Better Salary Potential: Updated certifications can lead to higher compensation packages and expanded responsibilities.

Modern Toolsets: SQL Server 2016 certifications expose you to modern capabilities like R integration, JSON support, and hybrid cloud configurations—skills valued by today’s data teams.

Compliance Readiness: Many legacy SQL Server implementations fail to meet current compliance frameworks. New certifications validate that you’re equipped to handle data governance tasks.

Pathway to Azure Certifications: SQL Server 2016 knowledge provides a foundation for Azure-focused certifications like Azure Database Administrator Associate or Azure Data Engineer Associate.

How to Begin the Transition with Examlabs

If you’re ready to upskill and retire outdated knowledge, Our site offers comprehensive tools to guide your journey.

What Our site Offers:

Updated SQL Server 2016 practice exams with real-world scenario questions

Structured video tutorials and lab simulations for hands-on training

Downloadable study guides and PDF materials

Certification bundles for MCSA and MCSE tracks in database administration and analytics

Lifetime access to course materials with regular updates

By using Our site, you’ll be equipped to pass your certification exams confidently and apply the knowledge in enterprise-grade projects.

Long-Term Career Planning with Microsoft SQL Certifications

Microsoft’s shift from product-centric certifications to role-based and cloud-integrated credentials indicates a broader industry trend: IT professionals must become strategic partners in business transformation—not just technical operators.

To future-proof your career in data management, consider mapping out a multi-step certification plan:

Suggested Path:

MCSA: SQL Server 2016 – Choose your specialization (Development / BI / Admin)

Advance to MCSE: Data Management and Analytics

Broaden skills with Azure Data Engineer Associate or Azure Database Administrator Associate

Learn Power BI, Synapse Analytics, and Azure Data Factory to extend your BI and cloud data engineering capabilities

This journey not only enhances your technical repertoire but also prepares you for leadership roles in digital transformation initiatives.

Visual Studio and .NET: A Broad Scope of Retirements

Major updates are coming to Visual Studio and the .NET Framework certifications. With shifts toward newer frameworks, platforms, and app development models, a wide range of exams are being retired—including those focused on recertification.

This suggests that Microsoft might be rethinking the need for regular recertification in favor of modular skill validation or role-based credentials.

Exams retiring July 31, 2016:

• 70-511, 70-513, 70-515, 70-516: Microsoft .NET Framework 4 exams
• 98-379: Software Testing Fundamentals

Exams retiring September 30, 2016:

• 70-481 to 70-499: Windows Store App and recertification exams

Exams retiring March 31, 2017:

• 70-354, 70-355: Universal Windows Platform
• 70-487: Azure and Web Services
• 70-488, 70-489: SharePoint Server 2013 Solutions

Certifications being phased out:

• MCSD: Web Applications
• MCSD: Universal Windows Platform
• MCSD: SharePoint 2013 Applications
• MCTS: Multiple .NET Framework 4 specialtie
• MTA: Software Testing Fundamentals

Developers are encouraged to migrate to certifications aligned with Azure cloud services, modern web stacks, and mobile-first, cloud-first application models.

Microsoft Dynamics: Farewell to CRM 2013 and AX 2012 Certifications

Microsoft Dynamics has rapidly evolved, and the introduction of newer versions of Dynamics CRM and Dynamics AX marks the end of older exam tracks. The certifications related to Dynamics CRM 2013 and Dynamics AX 2012 will be discontinued to prioritize modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.

Exams retiring December 31, 2016:

• MB2-700 through MB2-703: Dynamics CRM 2013
• MB6-700 through MB6-889: Dynamics AX 2012

Exams retiring March 31, 2017:

• MB6-701: AX 2012 R3 Retail
• MB6-705: AX 2012 R3 CU8 Installation

Certifications retiring:

• All Specialist-level Dynamics CRM 2013 and AX 2012 Certifications

This change directly impacts ERP professionals, consultants, and developers, who must now transition to certifications reflecting Dynamics 365 and newer architecture models for integrated business solutions.

Additional Certifications Set for Retirement

Beyond the major platforms, Microsoft is also retiring a few niche exams that catered to specialized fields.

Exams retiring September 30, 2016:

• 70-673: Software Asset Management (SAM)

Exam retiring January 31, 2017:

• 74-697: OEM Preinstallation

Although less prominent, these exams were valuable for professionals working in licensing, software compliance, and OEM system deployment. These retirements signal Microsoft’s shift away from niche specialization toward broader and role-centric skill paths.

What This Means for IT Professionals and Aspirants

The mass retirement of 55 Microsoft exams and 29 certifications is a clear indicator of the technology giant’s ongoing commitment to modernization, relevance, and alignment with real-world job roles. Whether you are a systems administrator, developer, data engineer, or enterprise architect, these changes may affect your certification path and overall career strategy.

If you’re currently pursuing certifications tied to any of the retiring exams, you should aim to complete them before the cutoff dates. However, for long-term value, investing in updated certifications built around platforms like Windows Server 2016, SQL Server 2016, Azure, and Dynamics 365 will offer a more future-proof skillset.

Microsoft’s roadmap continues to evolve with its cloud-first, mobile-first vision, and its certifications reflect the need for IT professionals who can architect, implement, and secure modern enterprise solutions.

Now is the ideal time to reassess your career goals, align them with in-demand skills, and take advantage of learning platforms like Our site that offer up-to-date training resources, exam simulations, and hands-on practice to help you succeed in today’s competitive IT environment.

Final Thoughts

The retirement of Microsoft’s SQL Server 2008 certifications and other legacy credentials marks more than just a procedural update—it represents a defining shift in how data professionals must position themselves in a fast-evolving technology landscape. As organizations increasingly move toward digital transformation, the skills required to manage and secure enterprise data are evolving from traditional on-premises administration to cloud-first, analytics-driven, and automation-centric practices.

This transition opens up exciting opportunities for IT professionals to reinvent themselves and stay aligned with current industry demands. SQL Server 2016 certifications, for instance, are not simply newer—they are designed to validate expertise in modern features such as in-memory processing, dynamic data masking, Always Encrypted technologies, and seamless hybrid integration with Microsoft Azure. By acquiring these updated credentials, you demonstrate your ability to manage the data infrastructure of tomorrow—securely, efficiently, and in line with business objectives.

Likewise, governance tools like Azure Blueprints are becoming indispensable for ensuring security and compliance in today’s complex cloud environments. No longer is governance an afterthought—it’s a strategic imperative. Azure Blueprints allow enterprises to enforce organizational standards, streamline resource deployment, and minimize misconfigurations across multiple Azure subscriptions. When paired with policy management and role-based access control, Blueprints become a vital component of any robust cloud governance strategy.

Professionals who invest in learning tools like Azure Blueprints, ARM templates, and cloud security protocols position themselves as invaluable assets in roles such as cloud architect, DevSecOps engineer, compliance analyst, or hybrid systems administrator. These are high-impact, in-demand positions that go far beyond the skill set required in legacy environments.

To stay ahead, you must view certification not as a checkbox—but as a roadmap for growth. Training platforms like Our site offer comprehensive resources, practice tests, and expert-led guidance that can help you transition seamlessly into the modern Microsoft certification framework. Whether you’re targeting SQL Server 2016, Azure Administration, or Microsoft 365 roles, having access to reliable preparation materials can make all the difference.

The message is clear: now is the time to retire outdated knowledge, refresh your skillset, and embrace the cloud-native future. In doing so, you will not only remain competitive—but will thrive as a leader in the next generation of IT innovation.