If you’ve recently been searching “AZ-104 exam changes 2026” late at night while in the middle of a practice exam, you know the feeling of anxiety. You might be unsure whether the test you are preparing for is the same one you’ll take. Information on forums and YouTube has made things more confusing, making it hard to tell whether your skills-measured outline is up to date.
The Fast Rundown
Microsoft launched a new skills-measured outline for the AZ-104 exam on April 17, 2026, but the news is not that alarming. No domains have been added or removed; however, the weights for the domains may have changed slightly, and the weight of containerization increased. While you have kept studying the original five domains that were the basis for the exam, it is still important that you verify that the learning material you are using is in line with the latest update.
| Domain | Weight |
| Manage Azure identities and governance | 20–25% |
| Implement and manage storage | 15–20% |
| Deploy and manage Azure compute resources | 20–25% |
| Implement and manage virtual networking | 15–20% |
| Monitor and maintain Azure resources | 10–15% |
What Was Changed In AZ-104 2026
The following changes were noticed:
Identities/Governance — Use of Microsoft Entra ID terminology in place of the older “Azure Active Directory” terminology
Compute — Expanded container support, including Azure Container Apps and Azure Container Instances mention
Storage – Azure Files identity-based access and blob lifecycle management support
Network – Focus on evaluating effective NSG security rules
Monitoring – Coverage for both Recovery Services vaults and Azure Backup vaults
What This Means for Your Study Process
If your course content is from the beginning of 2026, you don’t need to start from scratch. First, scrutinize the compute section, particularly containers and Bicep, the identity section (Entra ID naming), and the storage section based on Microsoft’s latest blueprint. Then, your studying process can continue.
The exam format includes different question types, and you will need a score of at least 700 out of 1,000 to pass. Microsoft notes that the exam may include question types such as multiple case studies and labs.
If you prefer to learn using an official blueprint instead of trying to make sense of information you find on forums, Spoclearn offers training for Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification covering all updated sections.
The Bottomline
The main danger in 2026 isn’t a completely revolutionized test. It’s spending time relearning what you’ve already mastered while ignoring areas that need attention, such as troubleshooting networks, evaluating NSG rules, and inheriting RBAC scopes. Which is why it’s important to always check with the official Microsoft AZ-104 source. You may already be more up to date with your existing preparation than the claims circulating online.
Q & A’s
1. Is there any update about the AZ-104 exam passing score in 2026?
No. The passing score remains 700 out of 1000, and the test consists of 40 to 60 questions.
2. Will AZ-104 be phased out in 2026?
No. The subject’s content was revised on April 17, 2026, and therefore is not being taken off the market.
3. Will I need a new guide in 2026?
You will need a new guide only if your current one is older than early 2026. Otherwise, check the changes introduced in the above-mentioned AZ-104 exam topics and keep studying with your current guide.
4. What is new in the release of April 2026?
In this case, Azure Container Apps are explicitly listed as the topic of discussion; Microsoft Entra ID is stated as what was used earlier (Azure Active Directory); the weight of identity and governance increased, while that of networking decreased.