The correct answer is to delete the container, create a new container, and set the immutability policy to 2555 days before locking. This is necessary because once a time-based retention policy is locked on an Azure Blob Storage container, the retention period cannot be increased or modified; it is permanently fixed at the value set at the time of locking. Since the existing policy is locked at 365 days, you cannot extend it to meet the 7-year (2555-day) compliance requirement, so the only option is to start fresh with a new container and configure the correct duration before applying the lock. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of immutable storage policy for Azure Blob Storage compliance, specifically the irreversible nature of locked policies and the distinction between time-based retention and legal hold. A common trap is assuming you can simply increase the days on a locked policy or that a legal hold provides time-based protection. Remember the key rule: lock it only when you are certain of the retention period, because locked means locked forever.
AZ-305 Design data storage solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design data storage solutions. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing the configuration of an Azure Blob Storage container used for storing financial audit records. The exhibit shows the container's immutability policy and legal hold settings. You need to ensure that the audit records cannot be deleted or modified for at least 7 years. What should you do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Delete the container, create a new container, and set the immutability policy to 2555 days before locking.
Option B is correct because the immutability policy is locked at 365 days (1 year) and cannot be increased after locking; you must delete the container, create a new one, and set the immutability period to 2555 days (7 years) before locking. Option A is wrong because you cannot modify a locked policy. Option C is wrong because legal hold does not enforce a time-based retention. Option D is wrong because you cannot add more time to a locked policy.
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.
✓
Delete the container, create a new container, and set the immutability policy to 2555 days before locking.
Why this is correct
Only way to achieve 7-year retention with locked policy.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Increase the immutability period to 2555 days by updating the policy.
Why it's wrong here
Locked policy cannot be updated.
✗
Modify the immutability period to 2555 days.
Why it's wrong here
Cannot modify a locked policy.
✗
Add additional legal hold tags for each year.
Why it's wrong here
Legal hold is indefinite and not time-based.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
Identify which AZ-305 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Design data storage solutions — This question tests Design data storage solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Delete the container, create a new container, and set the immutability policy to 2555 days before locking. — Option B is correct because the immutability policy is locked at 365 days (1 year) and cannot be increased after locking; you must delete the container, create a new one, and set the immutability period to 2555 days (7 years) before locking. Option A is wrong because you cannot modify a locked policy. Option C is wrong because legal hold does not enforce a time-based retention. Option D is wrong because you cannot add more time to a locked policy.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Identify which AZ-305 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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