- A
Use a Generation 2 Windows Server Marketplace image.
Generation 2 images are the correct starting point when you may later enable security features such as Secure Boot and vTPM. They also align with modern Azure VM capabilities and avoid the limitations of older generation images.
- B
Use an ephemeral OS disk to reduce storage cost.
Why wrong: Ephemeral OS disks are not durable. They are discarded on deallocation, host move, or reimage, so they do not meet the requirement that the OS disk survive host moves.
- C
Use a managed Standard SSD OS disk.
A managed Standard SSD OS disk provides persistent, writable storage at lower cost than premium tiers. It satisfies the need for an OS disk that survives host changes while keeping storage costs restrained.
- D
Use an unmanaged VHD stored in a storage account.
Why wrong: Unmanaged disks are not the preferred modern approach for new Azure deployments, and they do not fit a cost-aware, operationally simple design as well as managed disks do.
- E
Use a Generation 1 image and enable Secure Boot after deployment.
Why wrong: Generation 1 images are not the right foundation for enabling Secure Boot and vTPM later. The security capabilities in the scenario depend on selecting the correct VM generation first.
AZ-104 Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage azure compute. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
You are deploying a Windows Server VM for an internal app. The VM must support Secure Boot and vTPM later, its OS disk must survive host moves, and the team wants the lowest-cost managed disk tier that still behaves like a normal writable OS disk. Which two choices should you make? 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
Use a Generation 2 Windows Server Marketplace image.
Option A is correct because Secure Boot and vTPM are only supported on Generation 2 VMs in Azure. Generation 2 VMs use a UEFI-based boot architecture, which is required for these security features. A Generation 2 Windows Server Marketplace image provides the necessary UEFI firmware and GPT-partitioned OS disk to enable Secure Boot and vTPM.
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 a Generation 2 Windows Server Marketplace image.
Why this is correct
Generation 2 images are the correct starting point when you may later enable security features such as Secure Boot and vTPM. They also align with modern Azure VM capabilities and avoid the limitations of older generation images.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use an ephemeral OS disk to reduce storage cost.
Why it's wrong here
Ephemeral OS disks are not durable. They are discarded on deallocation, host move, or reimage, so they do not meet the requirement that the OS disk survive host moves.
When this WOULD be correct
For a stateless VM, such as a batch processing node or a VM in a Virtual Machine Scale Set where data persistence is not needed and cost reduction is critical, an ephemeral OS disk is the correct choice.
- ✓
Use a managed Standard SSD OS disk.
Why this is correct
A managed Standard SSD OS disk provides persistent, writable storage at lower cost than premium tiers. It satisfies the need for an OS disk that survives host changes while keeping storage costs restrained.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use an unmanaged VHD stored in a storage account.
Why it's wrong here
Unmanaged disks are not the preferred modern approach for new Azure deployments, and they do not fit a cost-aware, operationally simple design as well as managed disks do.
When this WOULD be correct
When the question specifies using an existing storage account for cost savings, does not require Secure Boot or vTPM, and the VM is not expected to undergo host moves (e.g., a dev/test VM that can tolerate downtime).
- ✗
Use a Generation 1 image and enable Secure Boot after deployment.
Why it's wrong here
Generation 1 images are not the right foundation for enabling Secure Boot and vTPM later. The security capabilities in the scenario depend on selecting the correct VM generation first.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question required deploying a VM that must be compatible with older operating systems or custom images that do not support UEFI, and Secure Boot/vTPM were not required, a Generation 1 image 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.
✓Use a Generation 2 Windows Server Marketplace image.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Generation 2 images are the correct starting point when you may later enable security features such as Secure Boot and vTPM. They also align with modern Azure VM capabilities and avoid the limitations of older generation images.
✗Use an ephemeral OS disk to reduce storage cost.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Ephemeral OS disks are temporary and do not survive host moves; they also do not support Secure Boot or vTPM, which are required for this VM.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
For a stateless VM, such as a batch processing node or a VM in a Virtual Machine Scale Set where data persistence is not needed and cost reduction is critical, an ephemeral OS disk is the correct choice.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think ephemeral disks reduce cost while still meeting requirements, overlooking that they lack persistence and support for advanced features like Secure Boot and vTPM.
✗Use an unmanaged VHD stored in a storage account.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Unmanaged VHDs do not support managed disk features like Secure Boot and vTPM, and they lack the durability of managed disks for host moves. They also incur additional storage account management costs.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
When the question specifies using an existing storage account for cost savings, does not require Secure Boot or vTPM, and the VM is not expected to undergo host moves (e.g., a dev/test VM that can tolerate downtime).
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think unmanaged disks are cheaper because they avoid managed disk costs, but they overlook the lack of required features and hidden management overhead.
✗Use a Generation 1 image and enable Secure Boot after deployment.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Generation 1 VMs do not support Secure Boot or vTPM; these features require Generation 2. Enabling Secure Boot after deployment is not possible on Generation 1.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question required deploying a VM that must be compatible with older operating systems or custom images that do not support UEFI, and Secure Boot/vTPM were not required, a Generation 1 image would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think Secure Boot can be enabled post-deployment on any VM, or they may not know that Secure Boot and vTPM are exclusive to Generation 2 VMs.
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 often assume Generation 1 VMs can be upgraded to support Secure Boot or that ephemeral disks are a cost-saving alternative that still meets durability requirements, but Azure explicitly restricts Secure Boot and vTPM to Generation 2 VMs and ephemeral disks are volatile by design.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Generation 1 images are not the right foundation for enabling Secure Boot and vTPM later. The security capabilities in the scenario depend on selecting the correct VM generation first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Generation 2 VMs in Azure use UEFI firmware and GPT partition tables, which are prerequisites for Secure Boot and vTPM. Secure Boot ensures only signed OS loaders and drivers run during boot, while vTPM provides hardware-backed key storage for BitLocker and other security features. Managed Standard SSD disks offer a balance of cost and performance for production workloads, with built-in replication and support for host moves via Azure's infrastructure, unlike ephemeral disks which are tied to a specific host node.
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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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 a Generation 2 Windows Server Marketplace image. — Option A is correct because Secure Boot and vTPM are only supported on Generation 2 VMs in Azure. Generation 2 VMs use a UEFI-based boot architecture, which is required for these security features. A Generation 2 Windows Server Marketplace image provides the necessary UEFI firmware and GPT-partitioned OS disk to enable Secure Boot and vTPM.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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