az 104 study guide Study Guide: Everything You Need to Know 2025
Also covers: az-104 study guide, az104 study guide
Your complete roadmap to passing the AZ-104 certification exam. This comprehensive study guide covers all 5 exam domains with detailed explanations, study tips, and practice resources.
Quick Start
Essential steps to begin your preparation
Review Exam Objectives
View all domains →Take Assessment Quiz
Free practice test →Follow Study Plan
8-week roadmap →Full Practice Exams
Start practicing →Exam Domains & Objectives
Master these 5 domains to pass the AZ-104 exam
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
8-Week Study Plan
Follow this structured plan to prepare for your Microsoft Azure Administrator exam
Foundation
Understand core concepts and exam objectives
Focus Areas:
- Manage Azure Identities and Governance
- Implement and Manage Storage
Deep Dive
Master advanced topics and practical applications
Focus Areas:
- Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources
- Implement and Manage Virtual Networking
Practice & Review
Take practice exams and review weak areas
Focus Areas:
- Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources
Final Prep
Full practice exams and last-minute review
Focus Areas:
- Full-length practice tests
- Review all domains
Curated Study Resources
AI-curated resources with real links to help you prepare for the Microsoft Azure Administrator exam
Complete Study Guide for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
The Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification validates your ability to manage cloud services spanning storage, security, networking, and compute capabilities within Microsoft Azure. This associate-level certification is one of the most sought-after Azure credentials and demonstrates proficiency in implementing, managing, and monitoring an organization's Azure environment.
Who Should Take This Exam
- IT professionals with 6+ months of Azure administration experience
- System administrators looking to specialize in cloud infrastructure
- Cloud engineers managing Azure resources
- DevOps professionals working with Azure environments
- IT support specialists transitioning to cloud administration
Prerequisites
- Understanding of operating systems, networking, servers, and virtualization
- Basic knowledge of PowerShell and Azure CLI
- Familiarity with Azure Portal navigation
- Understanding of core cloud concepts
- Experience with on-premises virtualization technologies (helpful but not required)
Official Resources
Official AZ-104 Exam Page
Official exam details, skills measured, and registration information
View ResourceAZ-104 Study Guide
Comprehensive breakdown of all exam objectives and skills measured
View ResourceMicrosoft Learn - AZ-104 Learning Path
Official Microsoft training modules aligned with exam objectives
View ResourceAzure Documentation - Administrator
Complete Azure documentation covering all services and features
View ResourceAzure Architecture Center
Best practices, reference architectures, and design patterns
View ResourceAzure Updates
Latest Azure service updates and changes relevant to exam content
View ResourceOfficial Practice Assessment
Free official practice questions to assess readiness
View ResourceRecommended Courses
AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Training
Microsoft Learn • 30-40 hours
View CourseRecommended Books
Exam Ref AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator
by Harshul Patel, Michael Washam
Official Microsoft exam reference book covering all exam objectives with practice questions and real-world scenarios
View on AmazonMicrosoft Azure Administrator Exam Guide AZ-104: Certification Study Guide
by Sjoukje Zaal
Comprehensive guide with hands-on labs, practice questions, and detailed explanations of Azure administrator tasks
View on AmazonAZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam Certification Study Guide
by Jim Cheshire
Sybex study guide with practice exams, flashcards, and interactive online learning environment
View on AmazonMicrosoft Azure Administrator AZ-104 Exam Success Guide
by Rahul Sahay
Practical guide focusing on hands-on scenarios and real-world implementation of Azure services
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
Official Microsoft Practice Assessment for AZ-104
Free official practice questions from Microsoft to assess exam readiness
View ResourceAzure Free Account
$200 credit for 30 days plus 12 months of popular free services for hands-on practice
View ResourceMicrosoft Learn Sandbox
Temporary Azure sandbox environments within Microsoft Learn modules for risk-free practice
View ResourceMeasureUp AZ-104 Practice Test
Official Microsoft practice tests with detailed explanations and performance tracking
View ResourceWhizlabs AZ-104 Practice Tests
Multiple practice exams with scenario-based questions and detailed explanations
View ResourceTutorials Dojo AZ-104 Practice Exams
High-quality practice questions with detailed explanations and exam simulator
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
Microsoft Learn Community
Official Microsoft community for discussing certifications, sharing resources, and getting support
Join Communityr/AzureCertification
Active Reddit community for Azure certification discussions, exam experiences, and study tips
Join Communityr/Azure
General Azure community with technical discussions and real-world implementation scenarios
Join CommunityJohn Savill's Technical Training YouTube Channel
In-depth Azure technical content, study groups, and certification guidance from Microsoft MVP
Join CommunityThomas Maurer Blog
Azure administrator tips, best practices, and certification guidance from Microsoft MVP
Join CommunityMicrosoft Azure Discord Community
Large Discord server with Azure channels for real-time discussions and support
Join CommunityStudy Tips
Hands-On Practice is Critical
- Create a free Azure account immediately and practice everything you learn
- Don't just watch videos - recreate every demo in your own Azure environment
- Use Azure CLI and PowerShell alongside Portal - exam includes command-line scenarios
- Set budget alerts on your free account to avoid unexpected charges
- Delete resources after practice sessions to minimize costs
Master the Azure Portal
- Learn to navigate quickly between services using the search bar
- Familiarize yourself with resource creation workflows for all major services
- Understand where to find configuration options and settings for each service
- Practice using Azure Cloud Shell (both Bash and PowerShell)
- Know how to use the Azure mobile app for basic management tasks
Focus on Scenario-Based Questions
- AZ-104 heavily features scenario questions - understand WHY to use services, not just HOW
- Practice case studies where you select the appropriate service for given requirements
- Understand cost optimization scenarios and when to use different service tiers
- Learn to identify when high availability or disaster recovery solutions are needed
- Practice troubleshooting scenarios common to Azure administrators
Understand Service Limitations and Quotas
- Know default limits for VMs per region, storage accounts per subscription, etc.
- Understand which limits are soft (can be increased) vs hard limits
- Learn when to use multiple subscriptions for scale
- Know how to request quota increases
- Understand service availability by region
Command-Line Proficiency
- Practice common Azure CLI commands for all major services (az vm, az storage, az network)
- Learn PowerShell cmdlets (Get-AzVM, New-AzStorageAccount, etc.)
- Understand syntax differences between CLI and PowerShell
- Know when to use --query parameter for filtering output
- Practice scripting common administrative tasks
Security and Governance Focus
- RBAC questions appear frequently - understand scope inheritance and custom roles
- Master Azure Policy - know how to create policies and apply them at different scopes
- Understand the principle of least privilege and how to implement it
- Learn all authentication methods (managed identities, service principals, SAS tokens)
- Know when to use NSGs vs Azure Firewall vs Application Gateway WAF
Leverage Free Study Materials First
- Complete all Microsoft Learn modules before purchasing paid courses
- Use the official practice assessment to identify weak areas
- Watch free YouTube content from John Savill and Adam Marczak
- Join study groups on Reddit and Discord for peer support
- Only invest in paid practice exams after exhausting free resources
Practice Time Management
- You have approximately 1.5-2 minutes per question - practice at this pace
- Flag difficult questions and return to them later
- Read scenario questions carefully - key details are often in the requirements
- Eliminate obviously incorrect answers first in multiple choice questions
- Don't spend more than 3 minutes on any single question during practice
Stay Updated on Azure Changes
- Azure services update frequently - check the exam skills outline for recent changes
- Review Azure updates page monthly during your study period
- Note that Microsoft Entra ID replaced Azure AD branding - know both terms
- Understand that some documentation may lag behind Portal UI changes
- Join the Microsoft Tech Community for announcements about exam updates
Create Your Own Study Notes
- Build comparison charts for similar services (Standard vs Premium storage, Load Balancer vs App Gateway)
- Create decision trees for choosing between service options
- Maintain a command reference sheet for CLI and PowerShell
- Document common troubleshooting steps for each service type
- Create flashcards for memorization items (VM sizes, port numbers, service limits)
Exam Day Tips
- 1Arrive 15 minutes early for in-person exams or start check-in process 15 minutes early for online proctoring
- 2Have valid government-issued ID ready (required for exam verification)
- 3Read each question completely - scenario questions often have multiple requirements that must ALL be met
- 4Watch for keywords like 'minimize cost', 'highest availability', 'most secure' - these guide the correct answer
- 5Use the 'Mark for Review' feature liberally - you can return to questions at the end
- 6For multiple-answer questions, the number of correct answers is typically specified
- 7In case study questions, you can toggle between the scenario description and questions - use this feature
- 8If you see unfamiliar services or features, don't panic - use logical reasoning based on your Azure knowledge
- 9Eliminate answers that violate stated requirements before selecting your answer
- 10Budget your time - aim to complete the first pass through all questions with 15-20 minutes remaining for review
- 11Lab/simulation questions cannot be reviewed later - take your time and verify your configuration before moving on
- 12For CLI/PowerShell questions, check syntax carefully - parameter order and naming matter
- 13Remember that 'No change is needed' can be the correct answer if the scenario is already properly configured
- 14Trust your preparation - your first instinct is usually correct unless you find a clear error in your reasoning
- 15Stay calm if you encounter difficult questions - the exam is scored on a curve and not all questions count toward your score
Study guide generated on January 8, 2026
Pro Study Tips
Expert advice to maximize your study effectiveness
Active Learning Strategies
- Hands-on practice: Apply concepts in real scenarios
- Teach others: Explain concepts to reinforce learning
- Take notes: Write summaries in your own words
Exam Day Preparation
- Get enough sleep: Rest well the night before
- Review key points: Go through your notes and cheat sheets
- Time management: Practice pacing with timed exams
Continue Your Preparation
More resources to help you succeed
Complete Microsoft Azure Administrator Study Guide
This comprehensive study guide will help you prepare for the AZ-104 certification exam offered by Microsoft Azure. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this guide covers everything you need to know to pass on your first attempt.
What You Will Learn
Our study guide covers all 5 exam domains in detail:
- Manage Azure Identities and Governance (20%)
- Implement and Manage Storage (15%)
- Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources (20%)
- Implement and Manage Virtual Networking (15%)
- Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources (10%)
Recommended Timeline
Most candidates need 6-8 weeks of dedicated study to pass the Microsoft Azure Administrator exam. We recommend studying 1-2 hours daily and taking practice exams weekly to track your progress.
Next Step: Start with our free practice test to assess your current knowledge level.