The answer is NTFS permissions on files and folders, along with Azure RBAC permissions on the file share. This is correct because Azure Files implements a layered security model where Azure RBAC controls access at the share level—determining who can mount or manage the share—while NTFS permissions govern granular access to individual files and folders within the share. When identity-based authentication is used via Kerberos, both layers must be satisfied: RBAC grants the initial entry, and NTFS refines what the user can read, write, or execute. On the AZ-104 exam, this question tests your understanding of how these two permission layers stack, and a common trap is forgetting that RBAC alone cannot secure file contents. Remember the memory tip: “RBAC at the gate, NTFS on the plate”—RBAC decides who gets in the door, and NTFS decides what they can eat.
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 Windows VM mounts an Azure Files share by using SMB and identity-based authentication. Which two permission layers can affect access to folders in the share? Select two.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure RBAC permissions on the file share
Azure RBAC permissions on the file share (Option A) control whether a user or service principal can mount the share or perform management operations, such as listing or modifying share properties. When identity-based authentication is used (Kerberos or Azure AD Kerberos), RBAC roles like 'Storage File Data SMB Share Reader' or 'Contributor' are required to grant access at the share level before any file-level permissions apply.
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.
✓
Azure RBAC permissions on the file share
Why this is correct
Share-level RBAC determines whether the identity can connect to and use the Azure Files share.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
NTFS permissions on files and folders
Why this is correct
NTFS ACLs can still restrict access inside the share when SMB identity-based authentication is used.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Network security group rules on the storage account
Why it's wrong here
NSGs do not apply to the storage service itself and do not control file permissions.
✗
Blob access tier settings
Why it's wrong here
Access tiers apply to blob data, not to Azure Files folder permissions.
✗
Route table next-hop selection
Why it's wrong here
Routing affects network path selection, but it does not grant or deny file access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse network-level controls (NSGs, route tables) with identity-based access controls, or incorrectly assume Blob access tiers apply to Azure Files shares, when in fact only RBAC and NTFS permissions govern folder access in this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When using identity-based authentication with Azure Files, the user's Azure AD identity is mapped to a Windows security principal (user or group) via Kerberos, and NTFS ACLs (Option B) are evaluated after the RBAC check passes. This two-layer model mirrors on-premises file server behavior: share-level permissions (RBAC) gate access, then NTFS permissions refine what folders/files the user can read/write. A common nuance is that RBAC roles like 'Storage File Data SMB Share Elevated Contributor' grant full control at the share level, but NTFS permissions can still restrict access to subfolders.
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.
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 RBAC permissions on the file share — Azure RBAC permissions on the file share (Option A) control whether a user or service principal can mount the share or perform management operations, such as listing or modifying share properties. When identity-based authentication is used (Kerberos or Azure AD Kerberos), RBAC roles like 'Storage File Data SMB Share Reader' or 'Contributor' are required to grant access at the share level before any file-level permissions apply.
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 →
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.
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.