- A
Generalize the source VM before capture by removing machine-specific state.
Correct. Generalizing removes unique computer-specific settings so the image can be safely cloned many times.
- B
Create an image definition and image version in Azure Compute Gallery.
Correct. Compute Gallery provides versioned, reusable images that can be replicated and rolled back by version.
- C
Place the target virtual machines in an availability set.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Availability sets improve VM resilience, but they do not create reusable, versioned images for deployment.
- D
Attach a user-assigned managed identity to the source VM.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Managed identities help authentication, but they do not prepare a generalized image or manage versions.
- E
Enable boot diagnostics on the target virtual machines.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Boot diagnostics helps troubleshooting startup problems, but it does not support image capture or rollbacks.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create an image definition and image version in Azure Compute Gallery. This is correct because the Azure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery) allows you to store multiple versions of a generalized image, enabling you to deploy identical VMs from image with version history and rollback by simply pointing new deployments to a previous image version if the latest one causes issues. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of image management versus using managed disks or snapshots, which lack versioning and regional replication. A common trap is choosing "create a snapshot" instead, but snapshots are tied to a single disk and region, not designed for multi-VM deployment with rollback. Memory tip: think "Gallery = Version Control for Images" — just like Git for code, the gallery gives you a history of your VM images to revert to.
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 platform team maintains a hardened Windows VM with IIS, an agent, and local configuration files. They need to deploy 40 identical VMs in two regions, preserve version history, and roll back quickly if a new image causes problems. Which two actions should they take? Select two.
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
Generalize the source VM before capture by removing machine-specific state.
Option A is correct because generalizing the source VM with Sysprep (for Windows) removes machine-specific state like security identifiers (SIDs) and hostnames, making the VM suitable for creating a reusable, generalized image. This is a prerequisite for capturing an image that can be deployed to multiple VMs without conflicts. Without generalization, each VM would retain the original machine's identity, causing domain join and licensing issues.
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.
- ✓
Generalize the source VM before capture by removing machine-specific state.
Why this is correct
Correct. Generalizing removes unique computer-specific settings so the image can be safely cloned many times.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Create an image definition and image version in Azure Compute Gallery.
Why this is correct
Correct. Compute Gallery provides versioned, reusable images that can be replicated and rolled back by version.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Place the target virtual machines in an availability set.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Availability sets improve VM resilience, but they do not create reusable, versioned images for deployment.
- ✗
Attach a user-assigned managed identity to the source VM.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Managed identities help authentication, but they do not prepare a generalized image or manage versions.
- ✗
Enable boot diagnostics on the target virtual machines.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Boot diagnostics helps troubleshooting startup problems, but it does not support image capture or rollbacks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'generalizing the source VM' with 'creating a snapshot' or 'using managed identities,' failing to recognize that Sysprep is mandatory for Windows images and that Azure Compute Gallery is the only service that provides versioning and cross-region replication for managed images.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery) supports versioning of image definitions, allowing you to maintain multiple image versions (e.g., v1.0, v2.0) and replicate them across regions. When a new image version causes issues, you can update the VM scale set or individual VMs to reference a previous version by simply changing the image reference in the deployment template or using the Azure CLI `az vmss update` command. Under the hood, each image version is a managed snapshot stored as a set of blobs in a region-specific storage account, enabling fast rollback without re-uploading or rebuilding the image.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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: Generalize the source VM before capture by removing machine-specific state. — Option A is correct because generalizing the source VM with Sysprep (for Windows) removes machine-specific state like security identifiers (SIDs) and hostnames, making the VM suitable for creating a reusable, generalized image. This is a prerequisite for capturing an image that can be deployed to multiple VMs without conflicts. Without generalization, each VM would retain the original machine's identity, causing domain join and licensing issues.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on AZ-104
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A team has an approved Windows VM that already includes their application, patches, and monitoring agent. They want future VMs to start with the same configuration. What should they use?
easy- ✓ A.A managed image created from the approved VM
- B.An availability set
- C.A snapshot of the OS disk
- D.A larger virtual machine size
Why A: A managed image captures the entire VM configuration, including the OS, application, patches, and monitoring agent, allowing you to create multiple identical VMs from a single source. Unlike a snapshot, which is tied to a specific disk and requires manual steps to replicate the full VM setup, a managed image provides a reusable template for consistent deployments. This approach ensures future VMs start with the exact same configuration as the approved VM.
Variation 2. A team has an approved Windows VM that already includes patches, a monitoring agent, and line-of-business software. They want future VMs to start from that same build. What should they use?
easy- ✓ A.A custom image
- B.A snapshot of the OS disk
- C.An availability set
- D.A larger VM size
Why A: A custom image captures the exact state of a VM, including installed patches, monitoring agents, and line-of-business software, allowing you to create multiple identical VMs from that golden image. Unlike a snapshot, which is tied to a specific disk and requires manual steps to create a VM, a custom image is stored as a managed image resource that can be used directly during VM provisioning via the Azure portal, CLI, or ARM templates.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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