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.
AZ-104 Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage azure compute. 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 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?
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.
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.
✓
Custom Script Extension
Why this is correct
Custom Script Extension can download and run setup commands on the VM after provisioning without interactive login.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Availability set
Why it's wrong here
An availability set improves resiliency, but it does not execute configuration scripts on the guest operating system.
✗
Azure Load Balancer
Why it's wrong here
A load balancer distributes traffic, but it cannot install software or configure the Windows guest.
✗
Route table
Why it's wrong here
A route table changes packet routing, but it has no role in software installation or startup configuration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may 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.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Custom Script Extension works by the Azure VM agent (Windows Guest Agent) downloading the script from a specified URI (e.g., Azure Blob Storage with SAS token) and executing it via cmd.exe or PowerShell. The extension runs after the VM is provisioned and can be triggered via ARM templates, Azure CLI, or portal, with logs stored in C:\WindowsAzure\Logs\Plugins\Microsoft.Compute.CustomScriptExtension. A subtle behavior: if the script fails, the extension reports a failure status, but the VM remains running, requiring manual remediation or a retry policy.
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.
Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — This question tests Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 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.
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 →
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.
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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
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