- A
Shared key authorization, because it is the only method supported by Azure Files.
Why wrong: Shared key authorization works, but it is explicitly not what the security team wants. It also relies on the storage account key instead of domain credentials.
- B
Azure Files identity-based authentication using Active Directory Domain Services.
Azure Files can use AD DS-based identity authentication so Windows users and servers can access the share with domain credentials. This avoids storing or distributing storage account keys and fits the requirement to use existing directory identities.
- C
A user delegation SAS, because it maps the share automatically to domain accounts.
Why wrong: A user delegation SAS is for delegated access to blob data, not for mounting Azure file shares with AD DS credentials.
- D
Anonymous access, because Windows file servers can mount Azure shares without authentication.
Why wrong: Azure Files does not use anonymous access for secure enterprise file share mounts. Authentication is required for this scenario.
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 Windows file server VM in Azure needs to mount an Azure file share by using existing Active Directory Domain Services credentials. The security team does not want to use storage account keys. Which authentication option should be configured for Azure Files?
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
Azure Files identity-based authentication using Active Directory Domain Services.
Azure Files supports identity-based authentication using Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), which allows domain-joined VMs to mount Azure file shares using existing AD credentials without exposing storage account keys. This method leverages Kerberos authentication and enables fine-grained access control via NTFS permissions, meeting the security team's requirement to avoid storage account keys.
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.
- ✗
Shared key authorization, because it is the only method supported by Azure Files.
Why it's wrong here
Shared key authorization works, but it is explicitly not what the security team wants. It also relies on the storage account key instead of domain credentials.
- ✓
Azure Files identity-based authentication using Active Directory Domain Services.
Why this is correct
Azure Files can use AD DS-based identity authentication so Windows users and servers can access the share with domain credentials. This avoids storing or distributing storage account keys and fits the requirement to use existing directory identities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A user delegation SAS, because it maps the share automatically to domain accounts.
Why it's wrong here
A user delegation SAS is for delegated access to blob data, not for mounting Azure file shares with AD DS credentials.
- ✗
Anonymous access, because Windows file servers can mount Azure shares without authentication.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Files does not use anonymous access for secure enterprise file share mounts. Authentication is required for this scenario.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume Azure Files only supports shared key or SAS-based access, overlooking the identity-based authentication option that integrates with on-premises AD DS for seamless credential reuse.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Azure Files does not use anonymous access for secure enterprise file share mounts. Authentication is required for this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Files identity-based authentication with AD DS works by enabling the storage account for AD DS integration, which registers the storage account as a computer object in the domain. Domain-joined clients then use Kerberos tickets to authenticate, and access is controlled through standard Windows ACLs on the share and files. This setup requires the client to be domain-joined and the storage account to be configured with the appropriate AD DS domain name and OU, and it does not support cross-domain authentication without additional trust configurations.
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: Azure Files identity-based authentication using Active Directory Domain Services. — Azure Files supports identity-based authentication using Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), which allows domain-joined VMs to mount Azure file shares using existing AD credentials without exposing storage account keys. This method leverages Kerberos authentication and enables fine-grained access control via NTFS permissions, meeting the security team's requirement to avoid storage account keys.
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 →
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.