- A
Configure identity-based authentication for Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services.
Identity-based Azure Files authentication lets the VM mount with AD DS credentials instead of using a storage account key.
- B
Restore the deleted folders from a file share snapshot.
A file share snapshot provides point-in-time recovery for only the deleted folder tree, without rolling back other changes.
- C
Mount the share by using the storage account key in the command line.
Why wrong: The storage account key would violate the requirement to avoid shared secrets in the mount process.
- D
Enable anonymous access on the file share so the VM can mount it.
Why wrong: Anonymous access is not how Azure Files shares are secured for production workloads and would weaken security.
- E
Recreate the share as a blob container and use blob snapshots.
Why wrong: Blob containers and file shares are different services, so blob snapshots cannot restore Azure file share content.
AZ-104 Identity-based authentication for Azure Files 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. A key principle to apply: identity-based authentication for Azure Files. 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 in Azure must mount an Azure file share by using existing Active Directory Domain Services credentials, not the storage account key. Yesterday, a user deleted a folder tree from the share, and only that folder tree should be restored. Which two actions should the administrator take? Select two.
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
Configure identity-based authentication for Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services.
Option A is correct because identity-based authentication for Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) allows the Windows file server VM to mount the Azure file share using existing AD DS credentials instead of the storage account key. This is required by the scenario, which specifies that the mount must use AD DS credentials. Option B is correct because Azure file share snapshots capture the state of the share at a point in time, enabling restoration of a specific deleted folder tree without affecting other data. This directly addresses the need to restore only the deleted folder tree.
Key principle: Identity-based authentication for Azure 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.
- ✓
Configure identity-based authentication for Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services.
- ✓
Restore the deleted folders from a file share snapshot.
Why this is correct
A file share snapshot provides point-in-time recovery for only the deleted folder tree, without rolling back other changes.
Related concept
Identity-based authentication for Azure Files
- ✗
Mount the share by using the storage account key in the command line.
Why it's wrong here
The storage account key would violate the requirement to avoid shared secrets in the mount process.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct if the question asked for a quick, non-persistent mount for troubleshooting or if identity-based authentication was not configured and the storage account key was the only available method.
- ✗
Enable anonymous access on the file share so the VM can mount it.
Why it's wrong here
Anonymous access is not how Azure Files shares are secured for production workloads and would weaken security.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where the VM needs to mount an Azure file share without requiring user authentication, such as for a public read-only data share or a legacy application that does not support authentication, enabling anonymous access would be correct.
- ✗
Recreate the share as a blob container and use blob snapshots.
Why it's wrong here
Blob containers and file shares are different services, so blob snapshots cannot restore Azure file share content.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asks: 'An application stores data in Azure Blob Storage. A user accidentally deleted several blobs. Which action should be taken to restore them?' In that scenario, enabling blob soft delete or using blob snapshots would be correct.
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.
✓Configure identity-based authentication for Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Identity-based Azure Files authentication lets the VM mount with AD DS credentials instead of using a storage account key.
✗Mount the share by using the storage account key in the command line.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The question requires using existing AD DS credentials, not the storage account key. Mounting with the storage account key bypasses identity-based authentication and does not meet the requirement.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct if the question asked for a quick, non-persistent mount for troubleshooting or if identity-based authentication was not configured and the storage account key was the only available method.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may default to using the storage account key as it is a common and straightforward method to mount Azure file shares, especially if they are less familiar with identity-based authentication.
✗Enable anonymous access on the file share so the VM can mount it.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The question requires mounting with existing AD DS credentials, not anonymous access. Enabling anonymous access would bypass authentication, violating the requirement to use AD DS credentials.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where the VM needs to mount an Azure file share without requiring user authentication, such as for a public read-only data share or a legacy application that does not support authentication, enabling anonymous access would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may mistakenly think that enabling anonymous access simplifies the mount process, overlooking the explicit requirement to use AD DS credentials for authentication.
✗Recreate the share as a blob container and use blob snapshots.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Azure file shares cannot be recreated as blob containers; they are distinct services. Blob snapshots do not support file-level restore for Azure Files, and the question requires restoring a specific folder tree from a file share, not a blob container.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asks: 'An application stores data in Azure Blob Storage. A user accidentally deleted several blobs. Which action should be taken to restore them?' In that scenario, enabling blob soft delete or using blob snapshots would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse Azure Files with Azure Blob Storage, assuming both support similar snapshot-based restore mechanisms, and overlook that file shares have their own snapshot feature for direct file-level recovery.
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?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse file share snapshots with blob snapshots or think that mounting with the storage account key is acceptable, overlooking the explicit requirement for AD DS credentials and the need for granular folder-level recovery.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Identity-based authentication for Azure Files leverages Kerberos authentication against on-premises AD DS or Azure AD DS, allowing the SMB client to mount the share without exposing the storage account key. File share snapshots are differential snapshots stored at the share level, enabling point-in-time recovery of individual files or folders via the 'Previous Versions' tab in Windows Explorer or the Azure Portal, without needing to restore the entire share. The snapshot restore operation uses the SMB protocol's shadow copy mechanism, which is transparent to the user.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Identity-based authentication for Azure Files
- Azure file share snapshots
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
Identity-based authentication for Azure Files
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.
Review identity-based authentication for Azure Files, then practise related AZ-104 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
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 — Identity-based authentication for Azure Files.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure identity-based authentication for Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services. — Option A is correct because identity-based authentication for Azure Files with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) allows the Windows file server VM to mount the Azure file share using existing AD DS credentials instead of the storage account key. This is required by the scenario, which specifies that the mount must use AD DS credentials. Option B is correct because Azure file share snapshots capture the state of the share at a point in time, enabling restoration of a specific deleted folder tree without affecting other data. This directly addresses the need to restore only the deleted folder tree.
What should I do if I get this AZ-104 question wrong?
Review identity-based authentication for Azure Files, then practise related AZ-104 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Identity-based authentication for Azure Files
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.