AZ-104 Implement and Manage Storage Practice Question
An administrator is deploying a new storage account for an application. The account must support blob containers, an Azure Files share, lifecycle rules for blobs, and standard access tiers. The application does not need premium performance for a single data service. Which storage account kind should be chosen?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse BlobStorage (which supports only blobs and lifecycle management) with General-purpose v2 (which supports blobs, files, lifecycle management, and access tiers), leading them to select BlobStorage when the requirement includes Azure Files shares.
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
✓
General-purpose v2, because it supports blobs, files, access tiers, and lifecycle management.
General-purpose v2 (GPv2) storage accounts are the correct choice because they support all storage object types (blobs, files, queues, tables), standard access tiers (hot, cool, archive), and lifecycle management policies for blobs. This meets all the stated requirements without needing premium performance for a single data service.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
BlobStorage, because it is optimized only for block blob workloads.
Why it's wrong here
BlobStorage accounts are limited to blob data and do not provide the broader feature set required for Azure Files shares. They are not the right choice when the application needs multiple storage services and lifecycle management across the account.
When this WOULD be correct
A question that asks for a storage account optimized for block blob workloads only, with no need for Azure Files, access tiers, or lifecycle management, and where premium performance is not required.
- ✗
General-purpose v1, because it can host any storage object type.
Why it's wrong here
General-purpose v1 is older and lacks many modern storage capabilities used in current Azure designs. It is not the recommended choice for lifecycle policies and the full range of storage features expected in this scenario. The requirement calls for the newer general-purpose model.
When this WOULD be correct
A question that requires a storage account for blobs, files, tables, and queues, but does not require access tiers or lifecycle management, and the application can tolerate lower performance and fewer features.
- ✓
General-purpose v2, because it supports blobs, files, access tiers, and lifecycle management.
Why this is correct
General-purpose v2 is the recommended all-purpose storage account type for most Azure workloads. It supports blobs and files in the same account, offers Hot, Cool, and Archive access tiers, and supports lifecycle management for blobs. That combination matches the application requirements without forcing a premium specialized account.
- ✗
BlockBlobStorage, because it is the best choice for any application that stores files.
Why it's wrong here
BlockBlobStorage is optimized for premium block blob scenarios, but it does not provide Azure Files support. The question explicitly requires both blob containers and a file share in the same account, so this account kind is too specialized for the workload.
When this WOULD be correct
A question requiring ultra-low latency for block blob workloads (e.g., high-frequency transaction logging) and explicitly stating that premium performance is needed, while not requiring Azure Files or lifecycle management.
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.
✓General-purpose v2, because it supports blobs, files, access tiers, and lifecycle management.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
General-purpose v2 is the recommended all-purpose storage account type for most Azure workloads. It supports blobs and files in the same account, offers Hot, Cool, and Archive access tiers, and supports lifecycle management for blobs. That combination matches the application requirements without forcing a premium specialized account.
✗BlobStorage, because it is optimized only for block blob workloads.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
BlobStorage accounts support only block blobs and append blobs, not Azure Files shares or standard access tiers with lifecycle management, which are required by the question.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question that asks for a storage account optimized for block blob workloads only, with no need for Azure Files, access tiers, or lifecycle management, and where premium performance is not required.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may see 'blob containers' in the requirements and assume BlobStorage is the correct choice, overlooking the additional requirements for Azure Files and lifecycle management.
✗General-purpose v1, because it can host any storage object type.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
General-purpose v1 does not support access tiers or lifecycle management, which are explicitly required by the question.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question that requires a storage account for blobs, files, tables, and queues, but does not require access tiers or lifecycle management, and the application can tolerate lower performance and fewer features.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may recall that GPv1 supports all storage services (blobs, files, tables, queues) and assume it meets all requirements, overlooking the missing access tier and lifecycle management features.
✗BlockBlobStorage, because it is the best choice for any application that stores files.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
BlockBlobStorage is designed for premium block blob performance and does not support Azure Files shares, lifecycle management, or standard access tiers, which are all required by the question.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question requiring ultra-low latency for block blob workloads (e.g., high-frequency transaction logging) and explicitly stating that premium performance is needed, while not requiring Azure Files or lifecycle management.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may assume 'BlockBlobStorage' is a general-purpose blob storage option due to its name, or think it supports all blob-related features, overlooking its premium-only nature and lack of file share support.
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?”
Quick reference
Azure Blob Storage Tier Comparison
| Tier | Storage Cost | Retrieval Cost | Latency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot | Highest | Lowest | Immediate | Active data, frequent reads |
| Cool | Lower | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / month |
| Cold | Lower still | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / quarter |
| Archive | Lowest | Highest + rehydration delay | Hours | Long-term compliance retention |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
Key term
Lifecycle management
Lifecycle management is the process of overseeing data from its creation or capture through its use, maintenance, and eventual deletion or archiving.
Key term
Storage account
A cloud storage account is a container that holds a set of cloud storage services and their data, providing a unique namespace and access policies for storing and managing unstructured data.
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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.