Microsoft AZ-104 Study Guide: Everything You Need to Pass the AZ-104 Exam

The Microsoft AZ-104 certification validates your expertise and opens doors to higher-paying roles in IT and cybersecurity. Whether you are just starting your study journey or doing a final review, this guide breaks down everything you need to know to pass the AZ-104 exam.

Exam Overview

• Certification: Microsoft AZ-104
• Exam Code: AZ-104
• Vendor: Microsoft
• Cost: $165 USD
• Duration: 100 minutes
• Questions: 40-60 questions
• Passing Score: 700 out of 1000
• Format: Multiple choice, case studies, drag-and-drop
• Prerequisites: AZ-900 recommended but not required

Domain Breakdown

Understanding the exam domains and their weights is critical for efficient study planning. Focus more time on heavily-weighted domains while ensuring you cover all areas.

Domain 1: Manage Azure Identities and Governance (20-25%)

• 1.1 Manage Microsoft Entra users and groups
• 1.2 Manage access with RBAC
• 1.3 Manage subscriptions and governance

Key concepts: Microsoft Entra ID, RBAC, Custom Roles, Management Groups, Azure Policy, Resource Locks, Subscriptions, Conditional Access

Domain 2: Implement and Manage Storage (15-20%)

• 2.1 Configure access to storage
• 2.2 Configure Azure Files and Blob Storage
• 2.3 Configure Azure Storage security

Key concepts: Storage Accounts, Access Tiers, Blob Lifecycle, Azure Files, SAS Tokens, Storage Replication, AzCopy, Storage Explorer

Domain 3: Deploy and Manage Azure Compute (20-25%)

• 3.1 Automate deployment with ARM/Bicep templates
• 3.2 Create and configure VMs
• 3.3 Provision and manage containers
• 3.4 Create and configure Azure App Service

Key concepts: ARM Templates, Bicep, VM Scale Sets, Azure Container Instances, AKS, App Service Plans, Availability Sets, Custom Script Extension

Domain 4: Configure and Manage Virtual Networking (15-20%)

• 4.1 Configure virtual networks
• 4.2 Configure secure access to virtual networks
• 4.3 Configure load balancing
• 4.4 Monitor virtual networks

Key concepts: VNet Peering, NSG Rules, Azure DNS, VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute, Load Balancer, Application Gateway, Network Watcher

Domain 5: Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources (10-15%)

• 5.1 Configure monitoring with Azure Monitor
• 5.2 Configure backup and recovery

Key concepts: Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Metric Alerts, Action Groups, Azure Backup, Recovery Services Vault, Diagnostic Settings, Application Insights

Recommended Study Timeline

Plan for approximately 6-10 weeks of dedicated study. Here is a suggested weekly breakdown:

• Week 1: Identity: Microsoft Entra ID, users/groups, RBAC basics
• Week 2: Identity: Subscriptions, management groups, Azure Policy, governance
• Week 3: Storage: Storage accounts, access tiers, replication options
• Week 4: Storage: Azure Files, Blob Storage, security (SAS, encryption)
• Week 5: Compute: ARM/Bicep templates, VM deployment and configuration
• Week 6: Compute: Containers (ACI, AKS), App Service, autoscaling
• Week 7: Networking: VNets, subnets, NSGs, peering, VPN Gateway
• Week 8: Networking: Load Balancer, Application Gateway, DNS, Traffic Manager
• Week 9: Monitoring: Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, alerts, backup/recovery
• Week 10: Full Review: Practice exams, hands-on labs, weak area focus

Top Study Tips

1. Start with the official exam objectives. Download them from the Microsoft website and use them as your study checklist. Every exam question maps to a specific objective.

1. Use active recall over passive reading. Instead of re-reading notes, test yourself with practice questions after each study session. This dramatically improves retention.

1. Focus on heavily-weighted domains first. Domains with higher percentages appear more on the exam. Master these before moving to lower-weighted areas.

1. Build hands-on experience. Set up a lab environment and practice the skills you are studying. Hands-on experience is especially valuable for performance-based questions.

1. Take practice exams under real conditions. Time yourself, eliminate distractions, and simulate the exam environment. Review every wrong answer and understand why it was wrong.

Practice Resources

Test your knowledge with our free tools:

Take our free Microsoft AZ-104 practice quiz

• CVSS Calculator — Practice scoring vulnerabilities
• Password Strength Checker — Test password security

Career Impact

The Microsoft AZ-104 certification demonstrates validated expertise to employers. Certified professionals typically see:

• Higher starting salaries compared to non-certified peers
• More interview callbacks as the certification signals commitment and competence
• Faster career progression with a recognized credential on your resume
• Access to roles that specifically require or prefer Microsoft AZ-104 certification

What to Study Next

After earning your Microsoft AZ-104 certification, consider these natural next steps:

• Deepen your specialization with an advanced certification in the same vendor track
• Broaden your skills with a certification from a complementary domain
• Visit our Career Paths page for detailed certification roadmaps

Get Organized with a Study Planner

A structured study plan makes the difference between passing and failing. Our fillable PDF study planners include domain trackers, weekly schedules, and progress tracking designed specifically for Microsoft AZ-104 exam prep.

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This guide is independently created for educational purposes. Microsoft trademarks belong to their respective owners. FixTheVuln is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.