- A
Apply a ReadOnly lock to the resource group.
Why wrong: ReadOnly would block most write operations, including the updates the team still needs to perform.
- B
Apply a CanNotDelete lock to the resource group.
CanNotDelete is the correct lock because it blocks deletion while still allowing normal update operations. That means the team can continue to change VM settings, update tags, and manage networking during the freeze, but they cannot accidentally delete the protected resource group or its child resources. It is the standard choice when preservation is required without freezing all management activity.
- C
Assign the Reader role to all operators.
Why wrong: Reader removes write access entirely, which is much more restrictive than the requirement.
- D
Assign an Azure Policy deny assignment at the subscription.
Why wrong: Policy can enforce compliance, but it is not the right mechanism for simple deletion prevention during a freeze.
AZ-104 Manage Azure Identities and Governance Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of manage azure identities and governance. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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, the operations team wants to prevent accidental deletion of a production resource group and everything in it. They still need to update VM settings, change tags, and modify network rules. Which lock should be 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
Apply a CanNotDelete lock to the resource group.
The CanNotDelete lock (Option B) prevents deletion of the resource group and all resources within it, while still allowing read and update operations such as modifying VM settings, changing tags, and updating network rules. This lock type is specifically designed to protect against accidental deletion during a change freeze without blocking management operations.
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.
- ✗
Apply a ReadOnly lock to the resource group.
Why it's wrong here
ReadOnly would block most write operations, including the updates the team still needs to perform.
- ✓
Apply a CanNotDelete lock to the resource group.
Why this is correct
CanNotDelete is the correct lock because it blocks deletion while still allowing normal update operations. That means the team can continue to change VM settings, update tags, and manage networking during the freeze, but they cannot accidentally delete the protected resource group or its child resources. It is the standard choice when preservation is required without freezing all management activity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Assign the Reader role to all operators.
Why it's wrong here
Reader removes write access entirely, which is much more restrictive than the requirement.
- ✗
Assign an Azure Policy deny assignment at the subscription.
Why it's wrong here
Policy can enforce compliance, but it is not the right mechanism for simple deletion prevention during a freeze.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse ReadOnly locks with CanNotDelete locks, assuming that any lock will block all changes, but the key distinction is that ReadOnly locks block all write operations (including updates), whereas CanNotDelete locks only block deletion, allowing the required modifications.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure resource locks operate at the Azure Resource Manager (ARM) control plane level, applying to all users and roles within the scope, including the subscription administrator. The CanNotDelete lock uses the `Microsoft.Authorization/locks` resource type and is enforced via ARM's role-based access control (RBAC) evaluation, where the lock check occurs after RBAC permission checks but before the actual operation, ensuring that even users with Owner or Contributor roles cannot delete the locked resource group or its child resources. A subtle behavior is that locks are inherited by all child resources, so a single CanNotDelete lock on the resource group protects every VM, NIC, NSG, and other resource inside it from deletion, while still allowing updates to their properties.
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?
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: Apply a CanNotDelete lock to the resource group. — The CanNotDelete lock (Option B) prevents deletion of the resource group and all resources within it, while still allowing read and update operations such as modifying VM settings, changing tags, and updating network rules. This lock type is specifically designed to protect against accidental deletion during a change freeze without blocking management operations.
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
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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