What is the first step you should take when troubleshooting a problematic Azure virtual machine?

Taking a snapshot of the virtual machine before troubleshooting is a prudent first step because it provides a safety net. By capturing the current state of the VM, including its settings and data, you create a restore point that can be invaluable if subsequent troubleshooting steps lead to further issues or if changes made during the process need to be undone. This approach allows for a non-destructive method of investigating and resolving problems without permanently affecting the VM's existing state.

This step ensures that you can revert to this known-good state if necessary, which is particularly important in a production environment where downtime or data loss can have significant consequences. Therefore, having a snapshot can minimize risks and supports a more structured troubleshooting process. This means the administrator can test various solutions, and if needed, revert back to the original state of the virtual machine without losing any critical configurations or data.

Understanding this context highlights the importance of taking a snapshot as a first action in an effective troubleshooting workflow.