- A
CanNotDelete lock, because it blocks all updates but allows reading.
Why wrong: CanNotDelete blocks deletion, not general write operations. If users are failing to update tags and resize resources, that behavior is not explained by CanNotDelete alone.
- B
ReadOnly lock, because it blocks write operations while allowing read access.
ReadOnly is the lock that allows users to view resources but prevents writes, including changes to tags, VM sizes, network rules, and many other configuration actions. This exactly matches the symptom described during a change freeze. It is a strong protection and should be used only when the organization truly wants to halt modifications.
- C
Reader role assignment, because it removes edit permissions from the group.
Why wrong: Reader is an RBAC role, not a lock. Although it grants read-only permissions, it would not be something you apply as a lock to a resource group. The symptom specifically points to a management lock.
- D
Azure Policy audit assignment, because it reports changes without blocking them.
Why wrong: Audit policies only report compliance and do not stop updates. They would not cause tag edits or VM changes to fail at the management plane.
Quick Answer
The answer is the ReadOnly lock. This lock is the correct choice because it explicitly blocks all write operations—such as updating tags, resizing a VM, or modifying an NSG—while still allowing read access to resource details, perfectly matching the scenario where users can view but not modify resources during a change freeze. On the AZ-104 exam, this question tests your understanding of Azure lock types and their practical use in governance scenarios; a common trap is confusing the ReadOnly lock with the Delete lock, which only prevents deletion but still permits updates. Remember that a ReadOnly lock is like a "view-only" mode for your resources—it prevents any write operation, including configuration changes, while keeping data visible. A helpful memory tip: think "ReadOnly = Read + Only" to recall that reading is the sole permitted action, blocking all modifications.
AZ-104 Manage Azure Identities and Governance Practice Question
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.
During a change freeze, an administrator applies a lock to a resource group. Users can still read resource details, but attempts to update tags, resize a VM, or change an NSG fail. Which lock was applied?
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
ReadOnly lock, because it blocks write operations while allowing read access.
The ReadOnly lock (option B) is correct because it explicitly blocks all write operations (including updates to tags, resizing a VM, or modifying an NSG) while allowing read operations. This matches the scenario where users can still read resource details but cannot perform any modifications.
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.
- ✗
CanNotDelete lock, because it blocks all updates but allows reading.
Why it's wrong here
CanNotDelete blocks deletion, not general write operations. If users are failing to update tags and resize resources, that behavior is not explained by CanNotDelete alone.
- ✓
ReadOnly lock, because it blocks write operations while allowing read access.
Why this is correct
ReadOnly is the lock that allows users to view resources but prevents writes, including changes to tags, VM sizes, network rules, and many other configuration actions. This exactly matches the symptom described during a change freeze. It is a strong protection and should be used only when the organization truly wants to halt modifications.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Reader role assignment, because it removes edit permissions from the group.
Why it's wrong here
Reader is an RBAC role, not a lock. Although it grants read-only permissions, it would not be something you apply as a lock to a resource group. The symptom specifically points to a management lock.
- ✗
Azure Policy audit assignment, because it reports changes without blocking them.
Why it's wrong here
Audit policies only report compliance and do not stop updates. They would not cause tag edits or VM changes to fail at the management plane.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the CanNotDelete lock with blocking updates, when in fact it only prevents deletion, while the ReadOnly lock is the one that blocks all write operations including updates and modifications.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure resource locks operate at the management plane level, leveraging Azure Resource Manager's internal authorization layer to enforce a deny effect on all operations that match the lock's scope and type. The ReadOnly lock uses the 'Microsoft.Authorization/locks' resource type and applies a deny assignment that overrides any allow permissions from RBAC, effectively blocking any PUT, PATCH, or DELETE requests while allowing GET and LIST operations. This is distinct from RBAC roles, which grant or deny permissions based on user identity, whereas locks apply uniformly to all users and services at the specified scope.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-104 question test?
Manage Azure Identities and Governance — This question tests Manage Azure Identities and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ReadOnly lock, because it blocks write operations while allowing read access. — The ReadOnly lock (option B) is correct because it explicitly blocks all write operations (including updates to tags, resizing a VM, or modifying an NSG) while allowing read operations. This matches the scenario where users can still read resource details but cannot perform any modifications.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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