AZ-104 Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Practice Question
You want to deploy a resource group with Bicep and see the changes Azure plans to make before you apply them. Which command should you run?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse `az deployment group what-if` with `az deployment group create`, assuming that `create` also provides a preview, but `create` immediately applies changes without any dry-run capability.
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
✓
az deployment group what-if
The `az deployment group what-if` command is correct because it performs a dry-run validation of a Bicep (or ARM) deployment against a resource group, showing the changes Azure will make (create, modify, delete) without actually applying them. This is the Azure equivalent of a 'what-if' analysis, allowing you to review the impact before execution.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
az deployment group what-if
Why this is correct
The `az deployment group what-if` command is specifically designed to preview the changes that a Bicep or ARM template deployment would make to a resource group, without actually applying them. It runs Azure's What-If engine on the compiled template and reports resource additions, deletions, and property modifications, giving you a safe, pre-flight review of the deployment plan.
- ✗
az deployment group create
Why it's wrong here
The `az deployment group create` command submits a Bicep or ARM template to a resource group and executes the deployment. Although it can be combined with a `--what-if` flag to preview changes first, the standard invocation immediately applies the template and does not give you a standalone pre-deployment preview. Therefore, when the goal is simply to review planned changes, `az deployment group what-if` is the correct, purpose-built command.
When this WOULD be correct
This command is correct when the question asks to deploy a Bicep file to a resource group and apply the changes immediately, without requiring a preview.
- ✗
az group delete
Why it's wrong here
The `az group delete` command removes an entire resource group and all resources within it. It is a destructive operation that has no connection to previewing template changes; instead of showing a proposed deployment plan, it directly deletes resources and requires confirmation before executing.
When this WOULD be correct
This command would be correct in a scenario where you need to delete an entire resource group and all its resources, such as cleaning up test environments after validation.
- ✗
az vm update
Why it's wrong here
The `az vm update` command modifies the configuration of an existing virtual machine, such as its tags, size, or disk settings. It does not analyze a Bicep template or generate a change plan for a resource group deployment, so it is completely unrelated to reviewing what a Bicep deployment would change.
When this WOULD be correct
This command would be correct when the question asks: 'You need to change the VM size of an existing Azure virtual machine. Which command should you run?'
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.
✓az deployment group what-ifCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
The `az deployment group what-if` command is specifically designed to preview the changes that a Bicep or ARM template deployment would make to a resource group, without actually applying them. It runs Azure's What-If engine on the compiled template and reports resource additions, deletions, and property modifications, giving you a safe, pre-flight review of the deployment plan.
✗az deployment group createWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The `az deployment group create` command deploys resources immediately without previewing changes, whereas the question specifically asks to see planned changes before applying them.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This command is correct when the question asks to deploy a Bicep file to a resource group and apply the changes immediately, without requiring a preview.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse the deployment command with the what-if command, thinking that 'create' includes a preview step, or they may not know the what-if feature exists.
✗az group deleteWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The 'az group delete' command removes a resource group and its resources, not preview changes. The question asks to see planned changes before applying them, which requires the what-if operation.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This command would be correct in a scenario where you need to delete an entire resource group and all its resources, such as cleaning up test environments after validation.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse 'what-if' with deletion because both involve analyzing the current state, but they serve opposite purposes: preview vs. removal.
✗az vm updateWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The 'az vm update' command is used to modify properties of an existing virtual machine, not to preview changes before deploying a resource group with Bicep.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This command would be correct when the question asks: 'You need to change the VM size of an existing Azure virtual machine. Which command should you run?'
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might confuse the 'what-if' functionality with updating resources, or think that 'az vm update' can simulate changes because it modifies VM settings.
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?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Managed Identities for Azure Resources
Key term
Group
A group is a collection of users, devices, or other objects that are assigned permissions and policies together for simplified management in identity and governance systems like Microsoft Entra ID.
Key term
Resource group
A logical container in Microsoft Azure that holds related resources for an application or solution, enabling unified management, security, and billing.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.