AZ-104 Implement and Manage Storage Practice Question
A help desk group must use the Azure portal to start a virtual machine, stop or deallocate it, and see its current state, but they must not change any other VM settings. Which three Microsoft.Compute actions should be included in a custom role? Select three.
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse the write action with the specific start and deallocate actions, incorrectly assuming that write is needed for power operations, when in fact write grants full configuration change capabilities that exceed the required scope.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read
The Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read permission is required to view the current state of a virtual machine in the Azure portal. Without this read action, the help desk group would not be able to see the VM's status, which is essential for their task of monitoring and managing the VM lifecycle.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read
Why this is correct
The Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read permission is the foundational control-plane read that lets the Azure portal query the VM's properties, current power state, and resource group metadata. Without it, the help desk cannot see the VM in the portal list or open its overview blade, making it impossible to even select the machine they are supposed to start. This read action is a prerequisite for all subsequent management operations, but it confers no ability to change or start the VM by itself.
- ✓
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/start/action
Why this is correct
The Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/start/action permission authorizes the specific POST operation that transitions a virtual machine from a stopped or deallocated state into a running state. This is a discrete control-plane action, not implied by read or write, and it must be explicitly granted in an Azure RBAC role. It allows the help desk to perform exactly the requested start function without permitting broader configuration changes or destructive operations.
- ✓
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/deallocate/action
Why this is correct
The Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/deallocate/action permission is required to stop and deallocate a VM, which releases the compute resources and, if applicable, its dynamic public IP address. In Azure, a simple power-off (stop without deallocate) is a separate action, but the common help desk task of 'stopping' a VM is usually implemented as deallocation to avoid ongoing compute billing. Granting this action lets the help desk stop VMs as needed without giving them permission to delete or reconfigure the resource.
- ✗
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/write
Why it's wrong here
The Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/write permission grants broad control over VM configuration, including resizing, changing hardware profile, adding or removing disks, updating network interfaces, and other administrative modifications. While write is needed for some scenarios like deploying or updating a VM, it is not required to start an existing VM and violates least privilege for a help desk group. Allowing write would let the help desk unintentionally alter critical VM settings that are outside the scope of their start-only responsibilities.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where help desk needs to modify VM settings (e.g., change VM size, update tags, or attach disks) via the portal, Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/write would be required.
- ✗
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/delete
Why it's wrong here
The Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/delete permission is destructive because it removes the entire virtual machine resource, including its associated OS disk, data disks, NIC, and extensions. This goes far beyond the help desk's requirement to start a VM and would expose the organization to accidental or malicious data loss. Under least privilege, delete must never be granted when the only required operation is starting a virtual machine; operational support needs start/action and read, not resource removal.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where a custom role is needed for a team responsible for decommissioning and removing VMs that are no longer needed, such as a cleanup or lifecycle management team, Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/delete would be required.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The AZ-104 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/readCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
The Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read permission is the foundational control-plane read that lets the Azure portal query the VM's properties, current power state, and resource group metadata. Without it, the help desk cannot see the VM in the portal list or open its overview blade, making it impossible to even select the machine they are supposed to start. This read action is a prerequisite for all subsequent management operations, but it confers no ability to change or start the VM by itself.
✗Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/writeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The write action allows modifying all VM settings, which exceeds the required permissions of only starting, stopping, and viewing state.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where help desk needs to modify VM settings (e.g., change VM size, update tags, or attach disks) via the portal, Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/write would be required.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think 'write' is needed to change the VM state (start/stop), but state changes are controlled by specific actions, not the generic write permission.
✗Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/deleteWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The delete action would allow the help desk group to remove the VM entirely, which is beyond the required permissions of starting, stopping, deallocating, and viewing state.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where a custom role is needed for a team responsible for decommissioning and removing VMs that are no longer needed, such as a cleanup or lifecycle management team, Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/delete would be required.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might mistakenly think that stopping or deallocating a VM requires delete permission, or they may confuse the deallocate action with deletion.
Analysis generated from the official AZ-104blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Managed Identities for Azure Resources
Key term
Azure portal
The Azure portal is a web-based, unified console that lets you build, manage, and monitor everything from simple web apps to complex cloud deployments using a graphical user interface.
Key term
Group
A group is a collection of users, devices, or other objects that are assigned permissions and policies together for simplified management in identity and governance systems like Microsoft Entra ID.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AZ-104 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-104 exam.