Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate AZ-104
Follow a topic roadmap built from the published exam blueprint, with lessons, practice exercises in a real terminal and practice exams.
Demonstrate your subject matter expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring an organization's Microsoft Azure environment including virtual networks, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance.
What you'll learn
Every objective AZ-104 publishes, and what it asks you to be able to do.
- Manage Azure identities and governanceManage Microsoft Entra users and groups. Manage access to Azure resources. Manage Azure subscriptions and governance.
- Implement and manage storageConfigure and manage storage accounts. Configure access to storage. Configure Azure Files and Azure Blob Storage.
- Deploy and manage Azure compute resourcesAutomate deployment of resources by using Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates or Bicep files. Create and configure virtual machines. Provision and manage containers in the Azure portal. Create and configure Azure App Service.
- Implement and manage virtual networkingConfigure and manage virtual networks in Azure. Configure secure access to virtual networks. Configure name resolution and load balancing.
- Monitor and maintain Azure resourcesMonitor resources in Azure. Implement backup and recovery.
The exam at a glance
- Length
- 100 minutes
- Validity
- 1 year
- Style
- Hands-on
multiple choice case studies drag-and-drop hotspot and occasional interactive labs. Based on 04/17/2026. Pass mark is 700.
Sitting the exam
The part nobody publishes in a syllabus. For AZ-104 the logistics are study strategy: what you are allowed to read while the clock runs changes how you should practise, and what a second attempt costs changes when you should book.
Where you sit it
- The exam will be monitored by a proctor during your sitting.
- You may encounter interactive components that you need to complete during the exam.
Booking it
- You can schedule your exam through Pearson Vue.
Read off the official exam page on 10 September 2026. Rules change without notice, so confirm anything you are about to spend money on.
What the exam covers
Microsoft publishes the objectives but not a weight for each one, so treat these as equally likely to come up.
Course content
23 topics
1. Azure Fundamentals and Core Concepts
Understanding Azure's structure: subscriptions, resource groups, regions, and the relationship between Azure Resource Manager and resources.
2. Identity and Access Management Foundation
Core identity concepts in Azure: authentication vs authorization, role-based access control (RBAC) principles, and scope hierarchy.
3. Manage Microsoft Entra Users and Groups
- Manage Microsoft Entra users and groups
4. Manage Access to Azure Resources
- Manage access to Azure resources
5. Manage Azure Subscriptions and Governance
- Manage Azure subscriptions and governance
6. Storage Account Fundamentals
Storage account types, performance tiers, replication options, and storage services overview.
7. Configure and Manage Storage Accounts
- Configure and manage storage accounts
8. Configure Access to Storage
- Configure access to storage
9. Configure Azure Files and Azure Blob Storage
- Configure Azure Files and Azure Blob Storage
10. Automate Deployment with ARM Templates and Bicep
- Automate deployment of resources by using Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates or Bicep files
11. Virtual Machine Fundamentals
VM sizing, disk types, availability concepts, and networking requirements for VMs.
12. Create and Configure Virtual Machines
- Create and configure virtual machines
13. Container Fundamentals in Azure
Container basics, Azure Container Instances vs Azure Container Apps, and container registry concepts.
14. Provision and Manage Containers in the Azure Portal
- Provision and manage containers in the Azure portal
15. App Service Fundamentals
App Service plans, pricing tiers, deployment slots, and application hosting models.
16. Create and Configure Azure App Service
- Create and configure Azure App Service
17. Virtual Network Fundamentals
IP addressing in Azure, subnets, network security groups basics, and virtual network concepts.
18. Configure and Manage Virtual Networks in Azure
- Configure and manage virtual networks in Azure
19. Configure Secure Access to Virtual Networks
- Configure secure access to virtual networks
20. Configure Name Resolution and Load Balancing
- Configure name resolution and load balancing
21. Monitoring Fundamentals
Azure Monitor concepts, metrics vs logs, alerts, and diagnostic settings.
22. Monitor Resources in Azure
- Monitor resources in Azure
23. Implement Backup and Recovery
- Implement backup and recovery
What to know before you start
- Operating systems
- Networking
- Servers
- Virtualization
- PowerShell
- Azure CLI
- The Azure portal
- Azure Resource Manager templates or Bicep files
- Microsoft Entra ID
Other Microsoft certifications
All Microsoft certificationsFrequently asked questions
How much does the AZ-104 exam cost?
Fee on Microsoft's site, and worth checking there before you book.
How long is the AZ-104 exam?
100 minutes. multiple choice case studies drag-and-drop hotspot and occasional interactive labs.
How many questions are on the AZ-104 exam?
multiple choice case studies drag-and-drop hotspot and occasional interactive labs. The sitting is 100 minutes long. Check the current count with Microsoft before you book.
How long is AZ-104 valid?
1 year. Check Microsoft's recertification route before it lapses.
Is the AZ-104 exam hands-on?
Yes. It is performance-based: you are given a live environment and a command line, and marked on what you actually do rather than what you can recognise. Reading alone does not prepare you for it.
What is on the AZ-104 exam?
5 objectives: Manage Azure identities and governance, Implement and manage storage, Deploy and manage Azure compute resources, Implement and manage virtual networking, Monitor and maintain Azure resources. Microsoft does not publish a weight per objective.
What should I know before starting AZ-104?
Operating systems. Networking. Servers. Virtualization. PowerShell. Azure CLI. The Azure portal. Azure Resource Manager templates or Bicep files. Microsoft Entra ID.
Exam details from Microsoft, checked August 2026. Always confirm on their page before booking.
What learners say about Acelro
About Acelro rather than the AZ-104 exam: what learners made of the gap analysis, the roadmap and the projects.
“The roadmap makes me focus on a learning curve, no matter the length.”
“Acelro has been really great for me, an inspiring experience. I've gained a lot of confidence doing projects I thought were rocket science.”
“The gap analysis maps your actual skills against what the current job market is asking for. Nobody else made it that clear where I stood.”