Quick Answer
The answer is CanNotDelete, because this lock prevents deletion of the resource group while still allowing engineers to start and stop VMs and modify network rules during maintenance. The technical distinction is that CanNotDelete blocks only delete operations at the chosen scope, whereas ReadOnly locks all write operations, including modifications to resources like VMs and network rules, which would halt maintenance tasks entirely. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how resource lock scopes and permissions interact—a common trap is assuming ReadOnly is safer, but it would prevent the required start/stop and rule changes. Remember: if the task is to block deletion but allow changes, CanNotDelete is the lock you need. A quick memory tip: “CanNotDelete = can’t delete, but can do everything else; ReadOnly = read only, no changes allowed.”
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of manage azure identities and governance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 need to ensure engineers cannot delete a production resource group, but they must still be able to start and stop VMs and change network rules during maintenance. Which resource lock should you apply to the resource group?
No lock
Why wrong: This does not protect the resource group from accidental deletion.
ReadOnly
Why wrong: ReadOnly blocks writes as well as deletes, which would interfere with maintenance tasks.
CanNotDelete
This prevents deletion while still allowing normal write operations on the resources.
Azure Policy deny assignment
Why wrong: Policy controls compliance, but it is not the same as a lock for delete protection.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
CanNotDelete
The CanNotDelete lock prevents deletion of the resource group while allowing all other operations, including starting/stopping VMs and modifying network rules. This meets the requirement because engineers retain full management capabilities except for deletion, which is explicitly blocked at the resource group scope.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
No lock
Why it's wrong here
This does not protect the resource group from accidental deletion.
ReadOnly
Why it's wrong here
ReadOnly blocks writes as well as deletes, which would interfere with maintenance tasks.
CanNotDelete
Why this is correct
This prevents deletion while still allowing normal write operations on the resources.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Policy deny assignment
Why it's wrong here
Policy controls compliance, but it is not the same as a lock for delete protection.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse ReadOnly with CanNotDelete, assuming any lock will block all operations, when in fact ReadOnly blocks all write operations (including start/stop and network changes) while CanNotDelete only blocks deletion.
Detailed technical explanation
Resource locks are applied at the subscription, resource group, or resource scope and override any role-based permissions, meaning even an Owner cannot delete a resource with a CanNotDelete lock without first removing the lock. The lock is enforced via Azure Resource Manager's control plane, blocking DELETE calls to the resource group while allowing PATCH and POST operations (e.g., VM start/stop via POST). In a real-world scenario, you might combine a CanNotDelete lock with Azure RBAC roles like Virtual Machine Contributor to ensure engineers can manage VMs but not delete the resource group.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Manage Azure Identities and Governance — This question tests Manage Azure Identities and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: CanNotDelete — The CanNotDelete lock prevents deletion of the resource group while allowing all other operations, including starting/stopping VMs and modifying network rules. This meets the requirement because engineers retain full management capabilities except for deletion, which is explicitly blocked at the resource group scope.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
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. RG-Prod is locked during a change freeze with a CanNotDelete lock. Administrators still need to keep the environment healthy without removing the lock. Which three actions can still be completed? Select three.
hardWhy A: A CanNotDelete lock prevents deletion of resources but allows all management operations that do not involve deletion. Changing the size of an existing virtual machine is a modification operation, not a deletion, so it is permitted under this lock type.
Variation 2. A change-freeze requires that no one can modify the settings of a subscription's resource group for six hours. Deletion is not the main concern; the priority is to block changes to existing resources during the freeze. Which lock should you apply?
mediumWhy B: The ReadOnly lock prevents any modification to existing resources, including configuration changes, while still allowing read operations. This directly satisfies the change-freeze requirement to block changes for six hours, as it denies all write operations at the resource group scope.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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