The answer is an Azure Compute Gallery image definition with image versions. This is correct because Azure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery) enables you to store multiple versions of a custom image, replicate them across regions for multi-region image replication with versioning, and roll back to an earlier approved version by simply changing the image version reference during deployment—no need to upload a new VHD. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of image lifecycle management and regional replication, often appearing in questions about deploying hardened images at scale. A common trap is confusing Azure Compute Gallery with Azure VM Image Builder or assuming you must re-upload a VHD for rollbacks. Memory tip: Think of the gallery as a "versioned photo album" for your images—flip back to an older page (version) without taking a new picture.
AZ-104 Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage azure compute. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 release team needs to deploy the same hardened Windows image to VMs in three regions. They must keep approved versions, replicate images to each region, and be able to roll back to an earlier approved version without uploading a new VHD. What should they use as the image source?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An Azure Compute Gallery image definition with image versions
Azure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery) allows you to store multiple versions of a custom image definition, replicate them across regions, and manage rollbacks by simply changing which image version is referenced during deployment. This meets all requirements: hardened Windows image, multi-region replication, version control, and rollback without uploading a new VHD.
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 managed disk snapshot captured from one reference VM
Why it's wrong here
Snapshots capture disk state, but they do not provide managed multi-region image versioning.
✓
An Azure Compute Gallery image definition with image versions
Why this is correct
Compute Gallery supports versioned, replicated images that can be reused and rolled back cleanly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A single unmanaged VHD stored in a storage account
Why it's wrong here
A VHD is harder to govern and does not provide the same versioning or regional distribution model.
✗
A custom script extension that installs the operating system settings after deployment
Why it's wrong here
Extensions configure software after deployment, but they are not image sources for the VM OS itself.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse managed disk snapshots with images, not realizing that snapshots lack the versioning, replication, and deployment flexibility that Azure Compute Gallery provides for multi-region scenarios.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Compute Gallery uses image definitions to hold metadata (OS type, publisher, offer, SKU) and image versions that point to managed image snapshots stored as page blobs. Replication is handled asynchronously across regions using Azure's geo-redundant storage backend, and you can set per-region replica counts. Rollback is achieved by updating the deployment template or scale set configuration to reference a previous image version ID, which is immediately available without re-uploading.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-104 question in full detail.
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: An Azure Compute Gallery image definition with image versions — Azure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery) allows you to store multiple versions of a custom image definition, replicate them across regions, and manage rollbacks by simply changing which image version is referenced during deployment. This meets all requirements: hardened Windows image, multi-region replication, version control, and rollback without uploading a new VHD.
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.
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Question Discussion
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