- A
A Custom Script Extension attached to the VM during provisioning.
The Custom Script Extension is designed to run post-provisioning commands, download files, and perform installation tasks automatically. It fits a deployment workflow where the VM must be configured without manual logon after creation.
- B
Azure Bastion to connect through the browser and complete setup interactively.
Why wrong: Azure Bastion provides secure remote access, but it still relies on an administrator manually connecting to finish the setup. That does not meet the requirement for automated provisioning.
- C
A managed identity assigned to the VM without any extensions.
Why wrong: A managed identity can help the VM access Azure resources without secrets, but it does not by itself install software or run the bootstrap script. A separate mechanism is still needed for configuration tasks.
- D
An availability set so the VM comes online faster during provisioning.
Why wrong: An availability set affects placement for resilience, not application configuration. It does not install software, copy files, or run scripts during deployment.
Quick Answer
The answer is the Custom Script Extension (CSE) attached to the VM during provisioning. This is correct because CSE executes a PowerShell or Bash script automatically after the OS is provisioned, enabling you to install applications, download configuration files from Azure Storage using a managed identity or SAS token, and run bootstrap commands without any manual login. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of post-deployment configuration automation versus alternatives like Desired State Configuration or Runbooks—a common trap is choosing Azure Automation, but CSE is the simplest, agentless solution for one-time bootstrapping. Remember that CSE runs on first boot only, making it ideal for initial setup, while DSC is better for ongoing state management. Memory tip: think of CSE as a “one-shot script injector” for that first automated configuration.
AZ-104 Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage azure compute. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A new Windows VM must be deployed with an application installed, a configuration file copied from a storage account, and a bootstrap script run automatically after the operating system is provisioned. The operations team does not want to log in manually after deployment. What should they use?
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
A Custom Script Extension attached to the VM during provisioning.
The Custom Script Extension (CSE) is the correct choice because it allows you to run a PowerShell or Bash script automatically after the VM is provisioned. This script can install applications, download configuration files from Azure Storage using a managed identity or SAS token, and execute bootstrap commands—all without any manual login. CSE is the standard Azure mechanism for post-deployment configuration automation on both Windows and Linux VMs.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
A Custom Script Extension attached to the VM during provisioning.
Why this is correct
The Custom Script Extension is designed to run post-provisioning commands, download files, and perform installation tasks automatically. It fits a deployment workflow where the VM must be configured without manual logon after creation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure Bastion to connect through the browser and complete setup interactively.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Bastion provides secure remote access, but it still relies on an administrator manually connecting to finish the setup. That does not meet the requirement for automated provisioning.
- ✗
A managed identity assigned to the VM without any extensions.
Why it's wrong here
A managed identity can help the VM access Azure resources without secrets, but it does not by itself install software or run the bootstrap script. A separate mechanism is still needed for configuration tasks.
- ✗
An availability set so the VM comes online faster during provisioning.
Why it's wrong here
An availability set affects placement for resilience, not application configuration. It does not install software, copy files, or run scripts during deployment.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Bastion (a connectivity tool) with an automation tool, or they assume a managed identity alone can run scripts, when in fact it only provides authentication and must be paired with an extension or custom code to perform actions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Custom Script Extension downloads and executes a script file (specified via Azure Resource Manager or PowerShell) on the VM's guest OS. For Windows, it uses the Windows Azure Guest Agent to run the script as the SYSTEM account, ensuring it has full local privileges. A common real-world scenario is using CSE to join a VM to a domain, install monitoring agents, and copy configuration files from a storage account using a SAS token embedded in the script—all in a single automated deployment pipeline.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-104 question test?
Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — This question tests Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A Custom Script Extension attached to the VM during provisioning. — The Custom Script Extension (CSE) is the correct choice because it allows you to run a PowerShell or Bash script automatically after the VM is provisioned. This script can install applications, download configuration files from Azure Storage using a managed identity or SAS token, and execute bootstrap commands—all without any manual login. CSE is the standard Azure mechanism for post-deployment configuration automation on both Windows and Linux VMs.
What should I do if I get this AZ-104 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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