How to connect Azure Storage Explorer to a Storage Account

To connect Azure Storage Explorer to your Azure Storage account, you need to follow a few simple steps to authenticate and link your account.

Azure Storage Explorer supports multiple connection methods, including using Azure Active Directory (AAD), connection strings, storage account keys, or Shared Access Signatures (SAS).

Here's a detailed guide on how to connect Azure Storage Explorer to your storage account using these methods.

Step-by-Step Guide to Connect Azure Storage Explorer to a Storage Account

Step 1: Install Azure Storage Explorer

If you haven't installed Azure Storage Explorer yet:

1. Visit the official website.

2. Download and install the version of Storage Explorer appropriate for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

3. Once installed, open Azure Storage Explorer.

Step 2: Launch Azure Storage Explorer

• Open the Azure Storage Explorer application.

• If you're opening it for the first time, you’ll be prompted to connect to an Azure Storage account.

Step 3: Choose Your Connection Method

Azure Storage Explorer provides several ways to connect to your Azure Storage account.

Below are the different methods:

Method 1: Connect Using Azure Active Directory (AAD)

This method is ideal if your organization uses Azure AD for managing access to Azure resources.

1. In Azure Storage Explorer, click on the plug icon in the left panel that says "Connect to Azure Storage".

2. In the Connect to Azure Storage window, select "Azure Account" and click Next.

3. Sign in with your Azure account credentials (this should be your Azure AD account if you're using Azure AD).

4. Once authenticated, you will see a list of your subscriptions.

5. Choose the subscription and storage account you want to connect to.

6. Click Connect. You will now be able to browse and manage the resources in your Azure Storage account.

Method 2: Connect Using a Storage Account Name and Key

This method connects to a storage account directly by providing the storage account's name and key.

1. In the Connect to Azure Storage dialog, select "Use a storage account name and key".

2. Enter your Storage Account Name and Account Key.

   • You can find the Account Key in the Azure Portal under your storage account settings: Storage Account > Security + Networking > Access Keys.

3. Click Next, and then click Connect to link your storage account.

Now you can browse and manage your resources (Blob containers, file shares, etc.).

Method 3: Connect Using a Connection String

This method is useful if you have the connection string for your storage account.

1. In the Connect to Azure Storage window, select "Use a connection string".

2. Paste your connection string into the text box. You can find the connection string in the Azure Portal under your storage account settings: Storage Account > Security + Networking > Access Keys > Connection string.

3. Click Next, then click Connect to connect to your storage account.

Method 4: Connect Using a Shared Access Signature (SAS)

A SAS token allows you to grant restricted access to your Azure Storage account resources.

1. In the Connect to Azure Storage dialog, select "Use a shared access signature (SAS) URI".

2. Enter the SAS URI. This URI typically looks like:

   • You can get a SAS URI from the Azure Portal by generating a SAS token for your resources (Blob, File Share, etc.).

xxxxxxxxxx
1
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https://<storage-account-name>.blob.core.windows.net/?sv=<version>&st=<start-time>&se=<expiry-time>&sr=b&sp=r&sig=<signature>

3. Click Next, then click Connect.

Once connected, you can manage and browse your storage account’s data within Azure Storage Explorer.

Method 5: Connect Using Azure Storage Emulator (for Local Development)

If you are using the Azure Storage Emulator for local development:

1. In Storage Explorer, choose "Use the Azure Storage Emulator".

2. Click Next and then Connect.

3. Your local emulator will be connected, and you can interact with the simulated storage resources.

Step 4: Navigate and Manage Your Storage Resources

Once you are connected to your storage account, you will see the storage account's resources in the Explorer panel on the left side of the window.

• Blob Containers: Browse and manage blobs, upload, download, and delete files.

• File Shares: Access and manage files and directories.

• Queues: View and manage queue messages.

• Tables: Browse and manage table data.

Step 5: Perform Basic Operations

After connecting using any of the above methods, you'll see your storage account listed in the Explorer window. You can now:

1. Expand the storage account to access

• Blob Containers (for Blob Storage)

• File Shares (for Azure File Storage)

• Queues (for Queue Storage)

• Tables (for Table Storage)

2. You can manage data by

• Uploading files or folders.

• Downloading files or folders.

• Viewing blob contents or file shares.

• Creating new containers, file shares, or tables.

• Generating SAS tokens for resource access.

Let’s perform 2 basic operations such as uploading files, downloading files.

Upload a Blob

1. Expand the Blob Containers node.

2. Right-click the container where you want to upload a file (e.g., documents).

3. Select Upload > Upload Files.

4. Choose the file from your local system and click Upload.

Download a Blob

1. Expand the Blob Containers node and select the container you want.

2. Find the blob (file) you want to download.

3. Right-click the blob and select Download.

4. Choose the location on your local machine to save the file.

Step 6: Disconnect from Azure Storage

If you want to disconnect your storage account from Azure Storage Explorer:

1. In the left panel, right-click the storage account you want to disconnect.

2. Select "Disconnect".

3. The account will be removed from the list, and you will no longer have access to its resources until you reconnect.

Troubleshooting Tips

• If you encounter issues, check that your Azure credentials are correct.

• Ensure that the storage account key or SAS token is valid and not expired.

• If using Azure Active Directory (AAD), verify that your account has the correct permissions to access the storage account.

• Ensure your Azure subscription is active and associated with the right resources.

Summary

Connecting Azure Storage Explorer to your Azure Storage account allows you to easily manage your resources.

After you’ve successfully connected to an Azure Storage Account using Azure Storage Explorer! You can now:

• Browse resources like Blob Containers, File Shares, Tables, and Queues.

• Upload and download data from your storage account.

• Manage and interact with your Azure Storage resources.

Depending on your needs, you can choose from several connection methods such as Azure AD, account name and key, connection strings, and SAS tokens.

Azure Storage Explorer is a powerful tool for managing Blob, File, Queue, and Table storage in a graphical interface, and it makes it easy to upload, download, and organize your data.