- A
Shared key authentication, because it is the default for Azure file shares.
Why wrong: Shared key access works, but it does not use domain credentials and is not the requested authentication model.
- B
Identity-based authentication with Active Directory Domain Services.
Azure Files can use identity-based authentication so Windows clients access the share with their domain identities instead of storage keys. In an environment that already has Active Directory Domain Services, that is the appropriate configuration for SMB-based access. It supports centralized identity management, aligns with existing Windows admin practices, and avoids embedding account keys in scripts or connection strings.
- C
A service SAS created for the share and mapped as a network drive.
Why wrong: A service SAS grants token-based access, but it is not the same as using domain credentials for Windows share access.
- D
Anonymous access with public network restrictions disabled.
Why wrong: Azure Files does not provide anonymous share access for secure enterprise use.
Quick Answer
The answer is identity-based authentication with Active Directory Domain Services. This is the correct choice because Azure Files can integrate directly with an on-premises AD DS environment, enabling domain-joined Windows VMs to authenticate via Kerberos rather than using a shared storage account key. By enabling this option, the file share mounts using the user’s existing domain credentials, which also preserves NTFS permissions for granular access control. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to move from shared key access to identity-based authentication for hybrid file server workloads—a common trap is assuming that Azure AD alone suffices, but the question explicitly requires on-premises AD DS integration. Remember the memory tip: “Domain credentials demand Domain Services” to distinguish AD DS from Azure AD or storage account keys.
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 must mount an Azure file share by using domain credentials instead of a storage account key. The organization already manages users in Active Directory Domain Services. 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
Identity-based authentication with Active Directory Domain Services.
Azure Files supports identity-based authentication using Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), which allows domain-joined Windows VMs to mount Azure file shares using their existing domain credentials instead of a storage account key. This enables Kerberos-based authentication and preserves NTFS permissions, meeting the requirement to avoid shared key 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.
- ✗
Shared key authentication, because it is the default for Azure file shares.
Why it's wrong here
Shared key access works, but it does not use domain credentials and is not the requested authentication model.
- ✓
Identity-based authentication with Active Directory Domain Services.
Why this is correct
Azure Files can use identity-based authentication so Windows clients access the share with their domain identities instead of storage keys. In an environment that already has Active Directory Domain Services, that is the appropriate configuration for SMB-based access. It supports centralized identity management, aligns with existing Windows admin practices, and avoids embedding account keys in scripts or connection strings.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A service SAS created for the share and mapped as a network drive.
Why it's wrong here
A service SAS grants token-based access, but it is not the same as using domain credentials for Windows share access.
- ✗
Anonymous access with public network restrictions disabled.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Files does not provide anonymous share access for secure enterprise use.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse shared key authentication (Option A) as the only supported method for Azure Files, overlooking the identity-based authentication capability that integrates with on-premises AD DS for domain-joined VMs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Identity-based authentication for Azure Files leverages Kerberos tickets from on-premises AD DS, which are validated against the storage account's domain join. The Azure file share is accessed via SMB 3.0+ with encryption, and NTFS ACLs are enforced at the file/directory level. A common real-world scenario is a hybrid environment where file servers are migrated to Azure VMs but users must retain their existing AD credentials and permissions without exposing storage account keys.
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: Identity-based authentication with Active Directory Domain Services. — Azure Files supports identity-based authentication using Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), which allows domain-joined Windows VMs to mount Azure file shares using their existing domain credentials instead of a storage account key. This enables Kerberos-based authentication and preserves NTFS permissions, meeting the requirement to avoid shared key 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.
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.