- A
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read
Read access is needed so the portal can display the VM and its current operational state.
- B
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/start/action
Starting a VM is a separate control-plane action and must be explicitly allowed.
- C
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/deallocate/action
Stopping a VM in Azure commonly maps to deallocation, which is another distinct action.
- D
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/write
Why wrong: Write grants broader configuration changes than the help desk requirement and is not least privilege.
- E
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/delete
Why wrong: Delete would allow destructive changes that are outside the required support function.
Question 136 of 1,170
Creating a Custom Role for Virtual Machine Power Operations
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. 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 help desk group must use the Azure portal to start a virtual machine, stop or deallocate it, and see its current state, but they must not change any other VM settings. Which three Microsoft.Compute actions should be included in a custom role? 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
✓
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read
Option A is correct because the Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read permission is required to view the current state of a virtual machine in the Azure portal. Without this read action, the help desk group would not be able to see the VM's status, which is essential for their task of monitoring and managing the VM lifecycle.
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.
- ✓
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read
Why this is correct
Read access is needed so the portal can display the VM and its current operational state.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/start/action
Why this is correct
Starting a VM is a separate control-plane action and must be explicitly allowed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/deallocate/action
Why this is correct
Stopping a VM in Azure commonly maps to deallocation, which is another distinct action.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/write
Why it's wrong here
Write grants broader configuration changes than the help desk requirement and is not least privilege.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where help desk needs to modify VM settings (e.g., change VM size, update tags, or attach disks) via the portal, Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/write would be required.
- ✗
Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/delete
Why it's wrong here
Delete would allow destructive changes that are outside the required support function.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where a custom role is needed for a team responsible for decommissioning and removing VMs that are no longer needed, such as a cleanup or lifecycle management team, Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/delete would be required.
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.
✓Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/readCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Read access is needed so the portal can display the VM and its current operational state.
✗Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/writeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The write action allows modifying all VM settings, which exceeds the required permissions of only starting, stopping, and viewing state.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where help desk needs to modify VM settings (e.g., change VM size, update tags, or attach disks) via the portal, Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/write would be required.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think 'write' is needed to change the VM state (start/stop), but state changes are controlled by specific actions, not the generic write permission.
✗Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/deleteWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The delete action would allow the help desk group to remove the VM entirely, which is beyond the required permissions of starting, stopping, deallocating, and viewing state.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where a custom role is needed for a team responsible for decommissioning and removing VMs that are no longer needed, such as a cleanup or lifecycle management team, Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/delete would be required.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might mistakenly think that stopping or deallocating a VM requires delete permission, or they may confuse the deallocate action with deletion.
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 confuse the write action with the specific start and deallocate actions, incorrectly assuming that write is needed for power operations, when in fact write grants full configuration change capabilities that exceed the required scope.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure RBAC custom roles are defined as a JSON document containing a list of actions and notActions. The start/action and deallocate/action are separate permissions from the write action, allowing granular control over VM power operations without granting broader management capabilities. In practice, the read action is necessary for the Azure portal to display the VM's power state in the UI, as the portal makes GET requests to the Azure Resource Manager API.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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?
Implement and Manage Storage — This question tests Implement and Manage Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read — Option A is correct because the Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/read permission is required to view the current state of a virtual machine in the Azure portal. Without this read action, the help desk group would not be able to see the VM's status, which is essential for their task of monitoring and managing the VM lifecycle.
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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