- A
Run `az vm stop`, then resize the VM.
Why wrong: Stopping the VM powers it off, but it may not release the allocated host resources needed for the resize operation.
- B
Run `az vm deallocate`, then resize the VM, then start it again.
Azure often requires the VM to be deallocated before a size change succeeds because the target size may need different host resources. Deallocation releases the current compute allocation, which lets Azure place the VM on compatible hardware. After resizing, you start the VM again and the new size takes effect. This is the key difference between stop and deallocate in Azure operations.
- C
Run `az vm restart`, then resize the VM.
Why wrong: Restarting reboots the operating system, but it does not release the VM from its current compute allocation.
- D
Run `az vm generalize`, then recreate the VM from the image.
Why wrong: Generalizing is used for reusable images, not for a routine resize of an existing production VM.
Quick Answer
The answer is to run `az vm deallocate` first, then resize the VM, then start it again. This is correct because when `az vm resize` fails on a running VM, it typically indicates the target size requires a different hardware cluster or host, which demands the VM be in a deallocated state to release its underlying compute resources. The `az vm list-vm-resize-options` command may show the size as available, but the actual resize operation can only succeed after deallocation, which frees the VM from its current host and allows it to be provisioned on hardware supporting the new SKU. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of VM lifecycle states and the critical distinction between live resizing (which works only for sizes within the same family on the same cluster) and deallocate-then-resize (required for cross-cluster moves). A common trap is attempting to force a resize on a running production VM, which will fail silently or with an error. Memory tip: “Deallocate to reallocate” — you must stop the VM to move it to a different hardware pool.
AZ-104 Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Practice Question
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of deploy and manage azure compute. 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.
You need to resize a production VM from Standard_D2s_v5 to Standard_D4s_v5 by using Azure CLI. `az vm list-vm-resize-options` shows the target size, but `az vm resize` fails while the VM is running. Which action should you take first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Run `az vm deallocate`, then resize the VM, then start it again.
Option B is correct because resizing a VM to a different size often requires the VM to be in a deallocated state, especially when the new size is in a different hardware cluster or when the VM is currently running and the resize operation fails. The `az vm deallocate` command releases the underlying hardware resources, allowing the VM to be resized to any available size, including Standard_D4s_v5, and then you can start it again. This is a common requirement for production VMs when live resizing is not supported or fails.
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.
- ✗
Run `az vm stop`, then resize the VM.
Why it's wrong here
Stopping the VM powers it off, but it may not release the allocated host resources needed for the resize operation.
- ✓
Run `az vm deallocate`, then resize the VM, then start it again.
Why this is correct
Azure often requires the VM to be deallocated before a size change succeeds because the target size may need different host resources. Deallocation releases the current compute allocation, which lets Azure place the VM on compatible hardware. After resizing, you start the VM again and the new size takes effect. This is the key difference between stop and deallocate in Azure operations.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run `az vm restart`, then resize the VM.
Why it's wrong here
Restarting reboots the operating system, but it does not release the VM from its current compute allocation.
- ✗
Run `az vm generalize`, then recreate the VM from the image.
Why it's wrong here
Generalizing is used for reusable images, not for a routine resize of an existing production VM.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'stop' with 'deallocate' — while both halt the VM, only deallocate releases the underlying hardware reservation, which is necessary for resizing across different hardware clusters or when live resize fails.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure VMs are allocated to specific hardware clusters based on their size family. When you attempt to resize a running VM to a size that is not supported on the current cluster (e.g., moving from a general-purpose D-series to a memory-optimized E-series), the resize fails unless the VM is deallocated, which releases the cluster lock and allows Azure to place the VM on a new cluster that supports the target size. This behavior is governed by Azure Resource Manager's allocation logic, which checks for capacity and compatibility at the cluster level. In real-world scenarios, deallocation is also required when resizing to a size that requires a different number of vCPUs or memory that exceeds the current host's capacity.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
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?
Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — This question tests Deploy and Manage Azure Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run `az vm deallocate`, then resize the VM, then start it again. — Option B is correct because resizing a VM to a different size often requires the VM to be in a deallocated state, especially when the new size is in a different hardware cluster or when the VM is currently running and the resize operation fails. The `az vm deallocate` command releases the underlying hardware resources, allowing the VM to be resized to any available size, including Standard_D4s_v5, and then you can start it again. This is a common requirement for production VMs when live resizing is not supported or fails.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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