Match each Azure CLI command to the action it performs for a virtual machine.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Starts a stopped virtual machine without changing its disks or NICs.
Stops the VM and releases the compute host, which can reduce compute charges.
Moves the VM to a new Azure host to help resolve host-level issues.
Changes the VM size, such as moving from a smaller to a larger SKU.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
az vm create: Creates a new virtual machine.
Each Azure CLI command performs the corresponding VM lifecycle action: create, start, stop, deallocate (releases resources), delete, or list.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
az vm create: Creates a new virtual machine.
Why this is correct
The 'az vm create' command is the provisioning entry point: it deploys a new virtual machine by combining a resource group, VM name, image, size, and optional networking/storage parameters. If networking resources are not specified, Azure CLI creates default virtual network, subnet, public IP, and network security group. This command creates the underlying compute, storage, and network resources, unlike lifecycle-management commands that operate on an existing VM.
az vm start: Starts a stopped virtual machine.
Why this is correct
The 'az vm start' command transitions a VM in the 'Stopped' (allocated) power state back to 'Running'. It sends a start operation to the Azure fabric, which powers on the VM guest OS from a shutdown state while preserving the existing compute allocation. If the VM was in the 'Deallocated' state, this command also re-allocates compute capacity before boot, but its primary documented purpose is to start a stopped VM.
az vm stop: Stops a running virtual machine.
Why this is correct
The 'az vm stop' command shuts down a running VM but does not release the underlying compute resources, leaving the VM in the 'Stopped' (allocated) power state. The hardware lease, public IP address, and compute billing continue, so this is not a cost-saving operation. Use this command for scenarios like applying in-guest maintenance that requires a shutdown while retaining the same host allocation.
az vm deallocate: Deallocates a virtual machine (releases compute resources).
Why this is correct
The 'az vm deallocate' command stops the VM and releases the compute resources assigned to it, changing the power state to 'Deallocated'. This frees the VM's physical hardware, which stops compute billing, but preserves the OS disk, data disks, and static IP configuration. The VM can later be started again, at which point Azure allocates new compute resources, potentially on a different host.
az vm start: Stops a running virtual machine.
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect because 'az vm start' performs the opposite action: it starts a VM, not stops it. Stopping a running VM is the role of 'az vm stop'. Furthermore, 'az vm start' would fail or be a no-op if executed against a VM that is already stopped, as its operation is to power on, not power off, the virtual machine.
az vm stop: Deallocates a virtual machine.
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect because 'az vm stop' shuts down the VM but intentionally maintains its allocation of compute resources, which means billing continues. Deallocating a VM, which releases those compute resources and stops compute charges, requires the separate command 'az vm deallocate'. The subtle but critical distinction is that 'stop' preserves the host lease while 'deallocate' relinquishes it.
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Last reviewed: May 17, 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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