Question 166 of 1,049
Run Scripts on Windows VM After Provisioning with Custom Script Extension
A Windows VM must automatically run a setup script after provisioning to install an agent, create a folder, and write configuration files. The administrator wants the script to be delivered through Azure management and run without a human signing in. What should be used?
Quick Answer
The answer is the Custom Script Extension (CSE), which is the correct Azure feature to run a script on a Windows VM after provisioning without login. This extension works by downloading and executing scripts from Azure Storage or GitHub directly as the local system account, bypassing the need for any interactive user sign-in, which makes it ideal for post-deployment tasks like installing an agent, creating folders, and writing configuration files. On the AZ-104 exam, this tests your understanding of VM extensions and automation, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must choose between CSE, Desired State Configuration (DSC), or Run Command—a common trap is picking Run Command, which requires an active session, while CSE runs automatically at provisioning. Remember the memory tip: CSE stands for “Configure, Script, Execute”—it’s the hands-off tool for setup scripts that run as SYSTEM, not as a user.
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse the Custom Script Extension with VM-level configuration tools like Desired State Configuration (DSC) or automation accounts, but the question specifically asks for a simple script delivery method that runs without human sign-in, which CSE directly provides.
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
✓
Custom Script Extension
The Custom Script Extension (CSE) is the correct Azure feature to automatically run a setup script on a Windows VM after provisioning. It downloads and executes scripts from Azure Storage or GitHub, runs as the local system account, and requires no user sign-in, making it ideal for post-deployment configuration like installing agents and writing files.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Custom Script Extension
Why this is correct
Custom Script Extension can download and run setup commands on the VM after provisioning without interactive login.
- ✗
Availability set
Why it's wrong here
An availability set improves resiliency, but it does not execute configuration scripts on the guest operating system.
When this WOULD be correct
When the question asks how to ensure that at least one VM remains available during planned or unplanned maintenance events, an availability set is the correct answer.
- ✗
Azure Load Balancer
Why it's wrong here
A load balancer distributes traffic, but it cannot install software or configure the Windows guest.
When this WOULD be correct
An exam question requiring high availability and load distribution for a web application across multiple VMs, where traffic must be evenly distributed and health probes used to detect VM failures.
- ✗
Route table
Why it's wrong here
A route table changes packet routing, but it has no role in software installation or startup configuration.
When this WOULD be correct
When a question asks how to force all outbound traffic from a subnet to go through a network virtual appliance (NVA) for inspection, a route table with a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the NVA is the correct answer.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The AZ-104 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Custom Script ExtensionCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Custom Script Extension can download and run setup commands on the VM after provisioning without interactive login.
✗Availability setWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
An availability set is a logical grouping of VMs to ensure high availability during maintenance or failures, not for running scripts or automating post-provisioning tasks.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When the question asks how to ensure that at least one VM remains available during planned or unplanned maintenance events, an availability set is the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse 'availability' with 'automation' or think that an availability set can trigger scripts, but it only provides redundancy, not execution capability.
✗Azure Load BalancerWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Azure Load Balancer distributes incoming network traffic across multiple VMs, but it does not execute scripts or automate software installation on VMs after provisioning.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
An exam question requiring high availability and load distribution for a web application across multiple VMs, where traffic must be evenly distributed and health probes used to detect VM failures.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the Load Balancer's role in managing VM traffic with the ability to run scripts, or think it can trigger actions on VMs as part of a health probe response.
✗Route tableWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
A route table controls network traffic routing and cannot execute scripts or automate software installation on a VM.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When a question asks how to force all outbound traffic from a subnet to go through a network virtual appliance (NVA) for inspection, a route table with a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the NVA is the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse 'route' with 'run' or think that a route table can be used to direct the VM to a script location, but it has no execution capability.
Analysis generated from the official AZ-104blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on AZ-104
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You need to run a script inside an Azure virtual machine after deployment to install application prerequisites. Which feature should you use?
medium- A.Azure Policy
- ✓ B.A Custom Script Extension
- C.Boot diagnostics
- D.A proximity placement group
Why B: The Custom Script Extension (CSE) is the correct feature because it allows you to run a script inside an Azure VM after deployment, making it ideal for installing application prerequisites. CSE downloads and executes scripts on the VM, supporting both Windows (via PowerShell) and Linux (via Bash) environments, and can be applied during initial provisioning or to an existing VM.
Variation 2. You deploy a Windows Server VM and need to run several PowerShell commands after deployment without signing in to the VM. Which Azure feature should you use?
easy- ✓ A.Use the Custom Script Extension on the VM.
- B.Put the VM in an availability zone.
- C.Attach a managed identity and rely on Azure Policy.
- D.Create a snapshot before startup.
Why A: The Custom Script Extension (CSE) is the correct Azure feature because it allows you to run PowerShell or Bash scripts on a VM after deployment without requiring interactive sign-in. It executes the script via the Azure VM Agent, which runs as a local system process, making it ideal for post-deployment configuration tasks like installing software or running commands.
Variation 3. A Windows VM must install an agent and copy a configuration file automatically after provisioning. The administrator wants Azure to run the setup step without logging into the VM manually. Which feature should be used?
easy- A.Boot diagnostics
- ✓ B.VM extension
- C.Managed disk encryption
- D.Availability set
Why B: VM extensions are the correct Azure feature to automatically install agents and apply configurations during or after provisioning without manual login. The Custom Script Extension (CSE) specifically can execute a PowerShell or Bash script to install the agent and copy the configuration file, running as a post-deployment task via Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates, Azure CLI, or PowerShell.
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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