- A
Disable shared key access on the storage account.
Disabling shared key access prevents new requests from authenticating with account keys while leaving Entra-based access available.
- B
Assign the managed identity a data-plane role such as Storage Blob Data Reader.
The managed identity still needs a valid RBAC data role so it can continue reading blobs after key access is blocked.
- C
Replace the managed identity with a storage account key in the app settings.
Why wrong: Using a storage account key would violate the requirement to avoid secrets and would re-enable shared-key dependence.
- D
Remove all network rules from the storage account.
Why wrong: Network rules affect reachability, not authentication method, so they do not block shared key authorization.
- E
Create a service SAS and embed it in the code.
Why wrong: A service SAS still relies on shared key infrastructure and is not aligned with the goal of removing secret-based access.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to disable shared key access on the storage account and assign the managed identity a data-plane role like Storage Blob Data Reader. Disabling shared key authorization forces the storage account to reject any requests signed with account keys or SAS tokens, which directly blocks the insecure access method while still allowing Azure AD authentication. The managed identity, already used by the web app, seamlessly authenticates via Azure AD without needing any stored secrets, so the app continues to read blobs uninterrupted. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the “Allow storage account key access” toggle under the storage account’s Configuration blade, and the common trap is thinking you only need to disable shared key access without also granting the managed identity the correct RBAC role. Remember the two-step rule: turn off the key, then assign the role. A useful mnemonic is “Key off, role on” to ensure both changes are made.
AZ-104 Implement and Manage Storage Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of implement and manage storage. 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 web app already reads blobs by using a managed identity. Security now requires blocking any future requests that use shared key authorization, while the app must continue to work without storing secrets. Which two changes should the administrator make? 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
Disable shared key access on the storage account.
Option A is correct because disabling shared key access on the storage account enforces the security requirement to block future requests that use shared key authorization. This setting, when enabled, rejects any request that does not use Azure AD authentication, such as those signed with storage account keys or SAS tokens. Since the web app already uses a managed identity, it can continue to authenticate via Azure AD without storing secrets, ensuring the app works seamlessly after the change.
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.
- ✓
Disable shared key access on the storage account.
Why this is correct
Disabling shared key access prevents new requests from authenticating with account keys while leaving Entra-based access available.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Assign the managed identity a data-plane role such as Storage Blob Data Reader.
Why this is correct
The managed identity still needs a valid RBAC data role so it can continue reading blobs after key access is blocked.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Replace the managed identity with a storage account key in the app settings.
Why it's wrong here
Using a storage account key would violate the requirement to avoid secrets and would re-enable shared-key dependence.
- ✗
Remove all network rules from the storage account.
Why it's wrong here
Network rules affect reachability, not authentication method, so they do not block shared key authorization.
- ✗
Create a service SAS and embed it in the code.
Why it's wrong here
A service SAS still relies on shared key infrastructure and is not aligned with the goal of removing secret-based access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often think disabling shared key access will break the app, but they overlook that a managed identity with the correct RBAC role can authenticate via Azure AD, so the app continues to work without shared keys or secrets.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When shared key access is disabled on a storage account, the Azure Storage service rejects any request that does not include an OAuth 2.0 token from Azure AD, effectively blocking all shared key and SAS-based requests. The managed identity, once assigned a data-plane role like Storage Blob Data Reader, obtains an Azure AD token via the Azure Instance Metadata Service (IMDS) endpoint at 169.254.169.254, which the web app can use to authenticate without any stored secrets. This approach aligns with the principle of zero-trust security by eliminating static credentials and relying on role-based access control (RBAC) for authorization.
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.
- →
Implement and Manage Storage — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Implement and Manage Storage practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All AZ-104 questions
1,170 questions across all exam domains
- →
AZ-104 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
AZ-104 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related AZ-104 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Manage Azure Identities and Governance practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to Manage Azure Identities and Governance.
Implement and Manage Storage practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to Implement and Manage Storage.
Deploy and Manage Azure Compute practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to Deploy and Manage Azure Compute.
Implement and Manage Virtual Networking practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to Implement and Manage Virtual Networking.
Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources.
AZ-104 Azure RBAC practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 Azure RBAC.
AZ-104 storage account practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 storage account.
AZ-104 virtual network practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 virtual network.
AZ-104 NSG practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 NSG.
AZ-104 Azure Monitor practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 Azure Monitor.
AZ-104 backup practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 backup.
AZ-104 managed identity practice questions
Practise AZ-104 questions linked to AZ-104 managed identity.
Practice this exam
Start a free AZ-104 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Disable shared key access on the storage account. — Option A is correct because disabling shared key access on the storage account enforces the security requirement to block future requests that use shared key authorization. This setting, when enabled, rejects any request that does not use Azure AD authentication, such as those signed with storage account keys or SAS tokens. Since the web app already uses a managed identity, it can continue to authenticate via Azure AD without storing secrets, ensuring the app works seamlessly after the change.
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 →
Keep practising
More AZ-104 practice questions
- A storage automation service principal must upload, read, and delete blob data in one container by using Microsoft Entra…
- A subnet contains several application servers. You need to allow inbound TCP 3389 only from a management subnet named Su…
- A subscription admin wants to investigate who changed a resource and also review the platform-generated events for that…
- Based on the exhibit, which Azure feature should the administrator use to track this kind of platform-wide service issue…
- An administrator wants a script running on an Azure VM to create a resource in Azure without storing any passwords or cl…
- A PowerShell script runs on an Azure VM every night and uses Azure CLI commands to create tags and VM resources in anoth…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.