- A
Disable shared key access on the storage account.
Disabling shared key access prevents new requests from authenticating with account keys while leaving Entra-based access available.
- B
Assign the managed identity a data-plane role such as Storage Blob Data Reader.
The managed identity still needs a valid RBAC data role so it can continue reading blobs after key access is blocked.
- C
Replace the managed identity with a storage account key in the app settings.
Why wrong: Using a storage account key would violate the requirement to avoid secrets and would re-enable shared-key dependence.
- D
Remove all network rules from the storage account.
Why wrong: Network rules affect reachability, not authentication method, so they do not block shared key authorization.
- E
Create a service SAS and embed it in the code.
Why wrong: A service SAS still relies on shared key infrastructure and is not aligned with the goal of removing secret-based access.
AZ-104 Implement and Manage Storage Practice Question
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 web app already reads blobs by using a managed identity. Security now requires blocking any future requests that use shared key authorization, while the app must continue to work without storing secrets. Which two changes should the administrator 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
Disable shared key access on the storage account.
Option A is correct because disabling shared key access on the storage account enforces the security requirement to block future requests that use shared key authorization. This setting, when enabled, rejects any request that does not use Azure AD authentication, such as those signed with storage account keys or SAS tokens. Since the web app already uses a managed identity, it can continue to authenticate via Azure AD without storing secrets, ensuring the app works seamlessly after the change.
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.
- ✓
Disable shared key access on the storage account.
Why this is correct
Disabling shared key access prevents new requests from authenticating with account keys while leaving Entra-based access available.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Assign the managed identity a data-plane role such as Storage Blob Data Reader.
Why this is correct
The managed identity still needs a valid RBAC data role so it can continue reading blobs after key access is blocked.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Replace the managed identity with a storage account key in the app settings.
Why it's wrong here
Using a storage account key would violate the requirement to avoid secrets and would re-enable shared-key dependence.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where the managed identity cannot be used (e.g., unsupported resource type or cross-tenant access) and the app must authenticate to Azure Storage, using a storage account key in app settings (secured via Key Vault or other means) would be a valid fallback, though it introduces a secret.
- ✗
Remove all network rules from the storage account.
Why it's wrong here
Network rules affect reachability, not authentication method, so they do not block shared key authorization.
When this WOULD be correct
In a scenario where the storage account has overly restrictive network rules that block legitimate traffic from the web app, and the goal is to allow access from a specific IP or virtual network, removing network rules (or adjusting them) could be correct to restore connectivity.
- ✗
Create a service SAS and embed it in the code.
Why it's wrong here
A service SAS still relies on shared key infrastructure and is not aligned with the goal of removing secret-based access.
When this WOULD be correct
This option would be correct in a scenario where the app needs temporary, delegated access to a specific resource (e.g., a blob) without using the storage account key, and the security policy allows shared access signatures but prohibits storing account keys or using managed identities.
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.
✓Disable shared key access on the storage account.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Disabling shared key access prevents new requests from authenticating with account keys while leaving Entra-based access available.
✗Replace the managed identity with a storage account key in the app settings.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The requirement is to block shared key authorization while the app continues to work without storing secrets. Option C replaces the managed identity with a storage account key, which introduces a secret and violates the no-secrets requirement, and it does not block shared key access.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where the managed identity cannot be used (e.g., unsupported resource type or cross-tenant access) and the app must authenticate to Azure Storage, using a storage account key in app settings (secured via Key Vault or other means) would be a valid fallback, though it introduces a secret.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that using a storage account key is a simple way to ensure access without understanding that it introduces a secret and contradicts the requirement to block shared key authorization.
✗Remove all network rules from the storage account.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Removing network rules would expose the storage account to the internet without restrictions, contradicting the security requirement to block shared key authorization and not addressing the need to continue using managed identity.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a scenario where the storage account has overly restrictive network rules that block legitimate traffic from the web app, and the goal is to allow access from a specific IP or virtual network, removing network rules (or adjusting them) could be correct to restore connectivity.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think that network rules are blocking the app's access and removing them will solve the problem, but the question focuses on authorization method, not network restrictions.
✗Create a service SAS and embed it in the code.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Creating a service SAS and embedding it in the code introduces a secret (the SAS token) that must be stored securely, contradicting the requirement to avoid storing secrets. Additionally, SAS tokens can use shared key authorization, which the policy aims to block.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
This option would be correct in a scenario where the app needs temporary, delegated access to a specific resource (e.g., a blob) without using the storage account key, and the security policy allows shared access signatures but prohibits storing account keys or using managed identities.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may think a SAS token is a secure, time-limited alternative to shared key authorization, overlooking that SAS tokens are derived from shared keys and still rely on them, and that embedding tokens in code introduces secret management issues.
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 think disabling shared key access will break the app, but they overlook that a managed identity with the correct RBAC role can authenticate via Azure AD, so the app continues to work without shared keys or secrets.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When shared key access is disabled on a storage account, the Azure Storage service rejects any request that does not include an OAuth 2.0 token from Azure AD, effectively blocking all shared key and SAS-based requests. The managed identity, once assigned a data-plane role like Storage Blob Data Reader, obtains an Azure AD token via the Azure Instance Metadata Service (IMDS) endpoint at 169.254.169.254, which the web app can use to authenticate without any stored secrets. This approach aligns with the principle of zero-trust security by eliminating static credentials and relying on role-based access control (RBAC) for authorization.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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: Disable shared key access on the storage account. — Option A is correct because disabling shared key access on the storage account enforces the security requirement to block future requests that use shared key authorization. This setting, when enabled, rejects any request that does not use Azure AD authentication, such as those signed with storage account keys or SAS tokens. Since the web app already uses a managed identity, it can continue to authenticate via Azure AD without storing secrets, ensuring the app works seamlessly after the change.
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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