Azure Storage Explorer: What It Is & How to Use It

Azure Storage Explorer is a free, standalone desktop application from Microsoft that lets you view and manage your Azure Storage data—blobs, files, queues, and tables—without signing in to the Azure portal. You download it, connect it to your Azure account or a specific storage account, and then drag, drop, upload, download, and edit data as if it were local files. It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and it is the most common tool for day-to-day storage management outside of writing code.

What Azure Storage Explorer Actually Does

Azure Storage is the umbrella term for several data services: Blob Storage (for unstructured data like images or backups), Azure Files (managed file shares), Queue Storage (for message passing between app components), and Table Storage (a NoSQL key-value store). Storage Explorer gives you a graphical interface to all four. Instead of writing scripts or using the portal’s slower web UI, you can:

• Upload and download blobs and files by dragging and dropping.
• Create, delete, and rename containers, file shares, queues, and tables.
• Edit blob properties, metadata, and access tiers.
• Copy data between storage accounts or between a local folder and the cloud.
• Generate shared access signature (SAS) tokens for temporary access.
• View and edit table entities and queue messages.

It is not a replacement for the Azure portal—you still use the portal for creating storage accounts, setting network rules, or managing roles. Instead, Storage Explorer is the “file manager� for the data inside those accounts.

How to Download and Install It

Microsoft distributes Storage Explorer as a free download from its official Azure Storage Explorer page. It is not part of the Azure CLI or PowerShell; it is a separate Electron-based application. Installation is straightforward:

1. Go to the official Azure Storage Explorer download page (search “Azure Storage Explorer download� to find it).
2. Choose the installer for your OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Run the installer and accept the license terms.
4. Launch the app. On first run, you’ll be asked to sign in with an Azure account or connect with a connection string or SAS URL.

There is also a portable version for Windows that requires no installation. The app updates itself automatically, so you don’t need to manually check for new versions.

Connecting to Your Storage

You have several ways to connect, depending on what you need:

• Azure Account Sign-In – The easiest method. Sign in with your Microsoft account (the same one you use for the Azure portal). Storage Explorer then lists all storage accounts you have access to. You can also add multiple accounts and switch between them.
• Connection String – A string that contains the account name and one of its keys. You can find it in the Azure portal under “Access keys.â€� This works even if you don’t have an Azure account (for example, if you’re using Azurite, the local storage emulator).
• SAS URL – A URL with a shared access signature token. This is useful for temporary, limited access without giving full account keys.
• Azurite (Local Emulator) – For developers, Storage Explorer can connect to Azurite, which simulates Azure Storage on your local machine. Use the default connection string UseDevelopmentStorage=true.

Once connected, the left sidebar shows a tree view: your accounts, then each storage account, then the four services (Blob Containers, File Shares, Queues, Tables). Clicking a container shows its blobs in the main pane.

Common Tasks and How to Do Them

Here are the everyday operations you’ll perform, with the exact steps:

• Upload a file to a blob container: In the left tree, expand your storage account → Blob Containers → select a container. In the main pane, click “Uploadâ€� and choose “Upload Filesâ€� or “Upload Folder.â€� Alternatively, drag files from your desktop directly into the container’s pane.
• Download a blob: Right-click the blob and select “Download.â€� You’ll be asked where to save it locally.
• Copy a blob between containers: Right-click the blob → “Copy,â€� then navigate to the destination container, right-click the empty area, and select “Paste.â€� This works across storage accounts if you’re signed in to both.
• Create a SAS token: Right-click a container or file share → “Get Shared Access Signature.â€� Set the permissions (read, write, delete, list) and expiry time, then copy the generated URL.
• Edit a table entity: Under Tables, double-click a table. The data grid shows entities; you can add, edit, or delete rows directly.

For queues, you can peek at messages (without removing them) and dequeue messages (which removes them). This is handy for debugging message-processing code.

Common Problems and Fixes

Users often hit a few recurring issues. Here’s what to do:

• “Failed to loadâ€� or “Not foundâ€� errors when connecting: Usually means the connection string or SAS URL is wrong, or the storage account has been deleted. Double-check the string in the portal, and ensure you haven’t missed any characters.
• Slow uploads/downloads: Storage Explorer uses multiple threads for large files, but network bandwidth is often the bottleneck. Also, if you’re behind a firewall, make sure the app can reach *.core.windows.net.
• Cannot see a storage account after signing in: You may not have the correct role (e.g., Reader) or the account may be in a different Azure subscription. In Storage Explorer, right-click the “Storage Accountsâ€� node and select “Manage Subscriptionsâ€� to ensure the subscription is checked.
• App crashes or freezes: Try clearing the app’s local cache by closing it and deleting the folder %APPDATA%\StorageExplorer (on Windows) or ~/.config/StorageExplorer (on Linux/macOS). Then restart.

If you’re using a SAS URL, remember that SAS tokens expire. If you get a 403 error, generate a new SAS in the portal or in Storage Explorer itself.

Security and Permissions

Storage Explorer is a powerful tool, so handle it with care:

• Use Azure AD when possible – Instead of using account keys, connect with your Azure AD account. This lets you use role-based access control (RBAC) and avoids sharing keys.
• Never share connection strings or SAS tokens publicly – They grant access to your data. If you must share a SAS, set a short expiry and limit permissions to only what’s needed.
• Be careful with “Deleteâ€� – Deleting a blob container deletes everything inside it with no undo. Storage Explorer will ask for confirmation, but always double-check you’re in the right account.
• Enable encryption in transit – Storage Explorer always uses HTTPS, so your data is encrypted during transfer. For data at rest, Azure Storage encrypts by default.

For production environments, it’s safer to use managed identities or service principals in scripts, but for manual work, Storage Explorer with Azure AD is the recommended approach.

Alternatives to Storage Explorer

Storage Explorer isn’t the only option. Depending on your needs, you might prefer:

• Azure Portal – Built into the browser, no installation, but slower for bulk operations.
• Azure CLI – Command-line tool for scripting. Commands like az storage blob upload are powerful but have a learning curve.
• Azure PowerShell – Similar to CLI but for PowerShell users.
• Third-party tools – Tools like CloudBerry (now MSP360) or Cyberduck offer cross-cloud support, but they are not free or official.
• Azurite – A local emulator for development; works with Storage Explorer as a backend.

For most ad-hoc tasks, Storage Explorer is the best balance of ease and functionality. For automation, use the CLI or SDKs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Azure Storage Explorer free?

Yes, it is completely free to download and use. You only pay for the underlying Azure Storage services you use (e.g., storage capacity and transactions).

Can I use Storage Explorer without an Azure account?

Yes, you can connect to a storage account using a connection string or a SAS URL, even if you don’t have an Azure account. This is common for accessing a storage account shared by someone else.

Does Storage Explorer work on Mac and Linux?

Yes, Microsoft provides installers for macOS and Linux (Debian/Ubuntu, RHEL/Fedora, and SUSE). The interface is identical across platforms.

How do I get a connection string for my storage account?

In the Azure portal, go to your storage account → “Access keys.� You’ll see two keys, each with a connection string. Copy one and paste it into Storage Explorer when adding an account via “Use a connection string.�

Can I use Storage Explorer to manage Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2?

Yes, Storage Explorer supports Data Lake Storage Gen2 accounts (which are blob storage accounts with a hierarchical namespace). You can navigate folders and upload/download files as usual.

Why can’t I see my blobs after connecting?

Make sure you are looking at the correct container. Also, if the container has a large number of blobs, it may take a moment to load. If you’re using a SAS URL, ensure the SAS includes the “list� permission.

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