- A
A CanNotDelete lock was applied to the storage account.
Why wrong: CanNotDelete blocks deletion only and would not stop normal write operations such as changing settings.
- B
A ReadOnly lock was applied to the storage account.
ReadOnly is the correct explanation because it blocks write operations on the locked scope. That includes changing account settings, creating child resources such as containers, and modifying networking configuration. Read-only access still allows users to view the resource, which matches the symptom described in the scenario. This lock is useful when all configuration changes must be paused.
- C
An Azure Policy audit assignment was applied to the storage account.
Why wrong: Audit policies report compliance but do not block configuration changes or create this type of failure symptom.
- D
The account was moved to a different subscription.
Why wrong: A subscription move would not specifically produce the described write failures while still allowing read access.
Quick Answer
The answer is a ReadOnly lock applied to the storage account. This Azure Resource Manager lock prevents any modification to the resource while still allowing read operations, which perfectly explains why users can view the account but fail to change the access tier, create containers, or update networking settings. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Azure locks differ from RBAC roles—a common trap is confusing a ReadOnly lock with a custom role that denies write permissions, but the key distinction is that locks apply uniformly at the resource scope and override all permissions, including those of the Owner role. Remember that a ReadOnly lock blocks all write and delete actions, not just specific configurations, so if administrators need a temporary freeze on changes without disrupting application uptime, this is the exact tool. Memory tip: think of it as a “read-only shield” that lets data flow in but stops any hands from editing the settings.
AZ-104 Implement and Manage Storage Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of implement and manage storage. 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 storage account must stay online for applications, but administrators have a temporary freeze on configuration changes. Users can still view the account, but attempts to change the access tier, create a container, or update networking all fail. What most likely caused the behavior?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 ReadOnly lock was applied to the storage account.
A ReadOnly lock (Azure Resource Manager lock) prevents any modification to the storage account, including changing the access tier, creating containers, or updating networking settings, while still allowing read operations like viewing the account. This matches the described behavior exactly because the lock is applied at the resource scope and blocks all write/delete operations, but does not affect read access.
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 CanNotDelete lock was applied to the storage account.
Why it's wrong here
CanNotDelete blocks deletion only and would not stop normal write operations such as changing settings.
- ✓
A ReadOnly lock was applied to the storage account.
Why this is correct
ReadOnly is the correct explanation because it blocks write operations on the locked scope. That includes changing account settings, creating child resources such as containers, and modifying networking configuration. Read-only access still allows users to view the resource, which matches the symptom described in the scenario. This lock is useful when all configuration changes must be paused.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
An Azure Policy audit assignment was applied to the storage account.
Why it's wrong here
Audit policies report compliance but do not block configuration changes or create this type of failure symptom.
- ✗
The account was moved to a different subscription.
Why it's wrong here
A subscription move would not specifically produce the described write failures while still allowing read access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse CanNotDelete locks with ReadOnly locks, mistakenly thinking that a deletion-prevention lock also blocks modifications, when in fact only ReadOnly locks block all write operations.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Resource Manager locks operate at the management plane level, using Azure RBAC to deny all write or delete operations depending on the lock type. A ReadOnly lock effectively sets the 'actions' permission to deny for all write operations (e.g., Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/write) while allowing read operations (e.g., read). This lock is inherited by all child resources, so even creating a container (which is a write operation on the blob service) is blocked. In real-world scenarios, ReadOnly locks are often used during compliance audits or incident response to prevent accidental changes while maintaining application availability.
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?
Implement and Manage Storage — This question tests Implement and Manage Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A ReadOnly lock was applied to the storage account. — A ReadOnly lock (Azure Resource Manager lock) prevents any modification to the storage account, including changing the access tier, creating containers, or updating networking settings, while still allowing read operations like viewing the account. This matches the described behavior exactly because the lock is applied at the resource scope and blocks all write/delete operations, but does not affect read access.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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