- A
Use an Azure Compute Gallery image version created from the approved hardened build.
Azure Compute Gallery lets the team store and version approved images centrally. That makes it easy to deploy future VMs from the same hardened baseline rather than rebuilding the image each time.
- B
Reference that gallery image as the source image in the VM deployment.
The VM must be created from the approved image to keep the hardened configuration intact. Referencing the gallery image in the deployment ensures the VM starts from the validated baseline.
- C
Include the IIS extension or a custom script extension in the same deployment template or script.
A VM extension or custom script lets the administrator run post-deployment configuration automatically. That satisfies the requirement to install IIS without connecting interactively to the server after creation.
- D
Start from a fresh marketplace image and harden it manually after the VM is running.
Why wrong: This adds manual steps, creates configuration drift, and delays compliance with the approved baseline. The requirement asks for a hardened source image, not post-build manual hardening.
- E
Install IIS interactively after logging in to the VM with an administrator account.
Why wrong: Interactive setup is slower, less repeatable, and not suitable for automated provisioning. It also makes it harder to guarantee the same result across multiple deployments.
Quick Answer
The answer is to deploy the VM from an Azure Compute Gallery image and include the IIS extension or a custom script extension in the same deployment template. This works because the Azure Compute Gallery stores approved hardened images, ensuring the VM starts from a compliant baseline, while virtual machine extensions automate post-deployment configuration like IIS installation without manual login. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of combining image management with extension-based automation, a common pattern for secure, repeatable deployments. A frequent trap is thinking a hardened image alone installs IIS—it does not; the extension is required for software installation. Remember the pairing: Gallery for the base, Extension for the software.
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 development team needs a new Windows VM created from an approved hardened image, and IIS must be installed automatically after deployment. Which three actions should the administrator take? Select three.
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
Use an Azure Compute Gallery image version created from the approved hardened build.
Option A is correct because an Azure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery) allows you to create and store custom VM images, including hardened builds. Using a gallery image version ensures the VM is deployed from an approved, pre-configured image that meets security and compliance requirements, avoiding the need to manually harden a fresh marketplace image.
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.
- ✓
Use an Azure Compute Gallery image version created from the approved hardened build.
Why this is correct
Azure Compute Gallery lets the team store and version approved images centrally. That makes it easy to deploy future VMs from the same hardened baseline rather than rebuilding the image each time.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Reference that gallery image as the source image in the VM deployment.
Why this is correct
The VM must be created from the approved image to keep the hardened configuration intact. Referencing the gallery image in the deployment ensures the VM starts from the validated baseline.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Include the IIS extension or a custom script extension in the same deployment template or script.
Why this is correct
A VM extension or custom script lets the administrator run post-deployment configuration automatically. That satisfies the requirement to install IIS without connecting interactively to the server after creation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Start from a fresh marketplace image and harden it manually after the VM is running.
Why it's wrong here
This adds manual steps, creates configuration drift, and delays compliance with the approved baseline. The requirement asks for a hardened source image, not post-build manual hardening.
- ✗
Install IIS interactively after logging in to the VM with an administrator account.
Why it's wrong here
Interactive setup is slower, less repeatable, and not suitable for automated provisioning. It also makes it harder to guarantee the same result across multiple deployments.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think manual hardening or interactive installation is acceptable, but the question explicitly requires automation and an approved hardened image, making options D and E incorrect because they lack automation and consistency.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Compute Gallery supports replication of image versions across regions and allows you to control access via RBAC. When deploying a VM from a gallery image, you can use the same deployment template to include a custom script extension or the IIS extension, which runs PowerShell commands to install and configure IIS automatically during provisioning. This approach leverages Azure's VM agent to execute scripts before the VM is fully available, ensuring the web server is ready without manual intervention.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-104 question test?
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: Use an Azure Compute Gallery image version created from the approved hardened build. — Option A is correct because an Azure Compute Gallery (formerly Shared Image Gallery) allows you to create and store custom VM images, including hardened builds. Using a gallery image version ensures the VM is deployed from an approved, pre-configured image that meets security and compliance requirements, avoiding the need to manually harden a fresh marketplace image.
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.
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