You need to execute a PowerShell script every night to clean up unused resources in your Azure subscription. The script should run with a specific service principal identity that has the necessary permissions. You want a serverless solution with minimal management overhead. Which Azure service should you use?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Distractor review
Azure Functions with a timer trigger running PowerShell.
Azure Functions support PowerShell, but scheduling is more complex (timer trigger works, but you need to manage the function app and identity). Azure Automation is purpose-built for runbooks and schedule management.
Best answer
Azure Automation with a scheduled runbook.
Azure Automation allows you to create PowerShell runbooks, link them to a schedule, and use a Run As account (Microsoft Entra ID service principal) for authentication. This provides a low-management, serverless solution.
Distractor review
Azure Logic Apps with a recurrence trigger running a PowerShell action.
Logic Apps do not natively support running PowerShell scripts. You would need to use an Azure Automation runbook as a connector, which adds complexity.
Distractor review
Set up a scheduled task on an Azure VM to run the script.
This requires managing a VM, which incurs ongoing costs and maintenance overhead, violating the 'serverless with minimal management' requirement.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
Related practice questions
Related AZ-204 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
An application stores customer invoices in Azure Blob Storage. Deleted blobs must be recoverable for 14 days. What should be enabled?
Question 2
You are deploying a containerized application to Azure Container Instances. The application requires a custom domain name and SSL/TLS termination. You need to configure these features. Which resource should you create alongside the container group?
Question 3
A developer needs to run a Kusto query against application request data to identify 95th percentile latency by operation. Where should the query be run? The architecture review board prefers a managed AWS-native control.
Question 4
You are developing a web app that authenticates users via Microsoft Entra ID. The app needs to read the user's profile and send emails on their behalf. You want to minimize user consent prompts. Which OAuth 2.0 grant type should you use?
Question 5
You are developing an Azure Function that processes messages from an Azure Service Bus queue. The function uses a Service Bus queue trigger and runs on a Consumption Plan. The queue receives a high volume of messages in bursts. You need to ensure that the function scales out to handle the load but does not exceed 10 concurrent instances. Which configuration should you apply?
Question 6
You are monitoring an Azure App Service using Application Insights. You notice that the server response time is high for certain requests. You need to drill down to see which external dependencies (like databases or APIs) are causing the delay. Which Application Insights feature should you use?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-204 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Automation with a scheduled runbook. — Azure Automation provides a managed service for running PowerShell (and Python) runbooks on a schedule. It supports authentication using a Run As account (service principal) and can be triggered by a schedule. This is the ideal serverless solution for administrative tasks in Azure.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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