Azure Storage Explorer is a free, standalone desktop application that allows you to manage and interact with your Azure Storage resources.
It supports services like Blob Storage, File Storage, Queue Storage, and Table Storage.
Here's how to use Azure Storage Explorer.
Install Azure Storage Explorer
Download Azure Storage Explorer from the official Microsoft website.
Install it on your system following the provided instructions for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Connect to Azure Storage
You can connect to Azure Storage in various ways depending on your use case:
Connect Using Azure Account
1. Sign In
Open Azure Storage Explorer.
Click Account Management (person icon) in the left-hand menu.
Select Add an Azure Account.
Sign in with your Azure credentials.
2. Access Storage Accounts
After signing in, all the storage accounts associated with your Azure subscription will appear in the Explorer pane under the Subscriptions node.
Connect Using Storage Account Key
1. Get the Storage Account Key
In the Azure Portal, navigate to your storage account.
Go to Access keys under Security + networking.
Copy one of the keys.
2. Add the Storage Account to Storage Explorer
In Storage Explorer, click Add Account or Connect from the toolbar.
Choose Use a storage account name and key.
Enter the storage account name and key.
Click Next and then Connect.
Connect Using a Shared Access Signature (SAS)
1. Generate a SAS Token
In the Azure Portal, navigate to your storage account.
Under Security + networking, select Shared access signature.
Configure the SAS token settings and generate the URL.
2. Add the Storage Account to Storage Explorer
In Storage Explorer, click Add Account or Connect.
Choose Use a shared access signature (SAS) URI.
Paste the SAS URI and click Next, then Connect.
Connect Using a Local Emulator
If you're using a local emulator (e.g., Azurite), configure Storage Explorer:
In Storage Explorer, click Add Account.
Select Attach to a local emulator.
Input the details provided by your emulator and connect.
Managing Azure Storage Resources
Once connected, you can perform various operations depending on the type of storage:
Blob Storage
Upload/Download Files
Drag and drop files into/out of the Blob Containers.
Create/Manage Containers
Right-click the storage account node to create or delete containers.
Set Permissions
Configure access policies for blobs or containers.
File Storage
Upload/Download Files
Drag and drop files to/from File Shares.
Create/Manage Shares
Create, delete, or modify file shares.
Table Storage
View/Edit Data
Open a table to view its rows and columns.
Add/Edit/Delete Entities
Interact with individual table rows directly in the interface.
Queue Storage
Send/Receive Messages
View the messages in a queue, add new messages, or delete existing ones.
Advanced Features
Copy and Manage SAS URLs
Generate SAS tokens for specific files or containers for secure sharing.
Right-click a resource and select Get Shared Access Signature.
Search Resources
Use the search bar to quickly find resources across your subscriptions.
Monitor Usage
View details like used and available storage capacity.
Export and Import Data
Azure Storage Explorer simplifies data migration:
Import Data
Upload large datasets to Azure Storage.
Export Data
Download data from Azure Storage to local or other systems.
Manage Access Control
For blob containers or file shares, you can manage access levels:
Right-click a container or file share.
Select Set Public Access Level or Manage Access Control.
Use with Azure Files
Browse and manage file shares.
Mount Azure File Shares as network drives on your system.
Use drag-and-drop functionality to upload or download files.
Summary
Azure Storage Explorer is a versatile tool that enhances productivity when working with Azure Storage.
It simplifies storage management tasks, supports various authentication methods, and provides a user-friendly interface for complex operations.
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