MSDEVBUILD / azure

AzCopy, Storage Explorer and Azure File Sync

🏢On-premisesAzure⌨️ AzCopycommand line🖱️ Storage Explorerdesktop app🔄 Azure File Synckeep file servers in sync🚚 Azure Migratewhole servers and apps📦 Too much data? Azure Data Box by courier🚚
Type it (AzCopy), click it (Storage Explorer) or sync it (File Sync): three ways to move files.

😟 THE PROBLEM

Thousands of files need to get into Azure, and offices keep different copies.

😊 THE SOLUTION

Use AzCopy, Storage Explorer or Azure File Sync for the job.

  • Nightly copies done by hand✓ Script them with AzCopy
  • Not comfortable with commands✓ Storage Explorer GUI
  • Each office has different files✓ Azure File Sync
🛠️ Solved with: AzCopy · Storage Explorer · File Sync
Module 2: Architecture & Services ⏱ 5 min read Updated 11 Nov 2026

Quick answer

Azure offers three main tools for moving files. AzCopy is a command-line utility that copies blobs or files to and from storage accounts. Azure Storage Explorer is a free desktop app with a graphical interface for managing storage, and it uses AzCopy behind the scenes. Azure File Sync keeps Windows file servers in sync with Azure Files and can cache frequently used files locally.

Exam objective: 2.3.5 Identify options for moving files, including AzCopy, Azure Storage Explorer, and Azure File Sync. (Skills measured as of July 20, 2026)

Start with a question

How do you get thousands of files into Azure: typing, clicking or syncing?

All three are possible: AzCopy for typing commands, Storage Explorer for clicking, and Azure File Sync for keeping a server in sync automatically.

Explain it like I’m 10

The technical explanation

AzCopy

  • Command line
  • Scripts and automation
  • Blobs and files
  • Fast, resumable

Storage Explorer

  • Desktop GUI
  • Windows, macOS, Linux
  • Browse and manage
  • Uses AzCopy

Azure File Sync

  • Windows Server ↔ Azure Files
  • Cloud tiering
  • Multi-site sync
  • Continuous
Three ways to move files

Real-world business scenario

Enterprise

A law firm with three offices

The problem
Each office had its own file server with different versions of documents.
What they used
Azure Files as the central share, with Azure File Sync on a small server in each office.
Why that choice
One source of truth, with local speed and cloud tiering.
The result
All offices see the same documents, and local servers need far less disk.

When to use it and when not to

✓ Use it when…

  • **AzCopy** for scripted transfers.
  • **Storage Explorer** for ad-hoc management.
  • **File Sync** for hybrid file servers.

✕ Think twice when…

  • Network copying of huge data sets on slow links (consider Data Box).
Ready for more?The full lesson adds the technical explanation, when to use it, interview questions and revision notes.

Interview preparation

Say your answer out loud first, then open the model answer. Interviewers care more about your reasoning than the exact words.

Beginner What is the difference between AzCopy and Storage Explorer?

Model answer

AzCopy is a command-line tool, which is great for scripts and automation. Storage Explorer is a desktop app with a graphical interface for browsing and copying files by clicking. Storage Explorer actually uses AzCopy underneath.

Intermediate What does Azure File Sync do?

Model answer

It keeps a Windows file server synchronised with an Azure file share. Users keep using the local server, while Azure holds the full copy. Cloud tiering keeps only hot files locally, and multiple servers can sync to the same share.

Experienced developer Which tool for a nightly copy of 2 TB of logs from on-premises to Blob Storage?

Model answer

AzCopy in a scheduled script or pipeline, using sync or copy with Microsoft Entra authentication. It is fast and supports resuming. For tens or hundreds of terabytes on a slow link, consider Data Box instead.

Test yourself with exercises

3 original practice questions in the AZ-900 style. Pick your answers, then check them. You will see why each option is right or wrong. Score 75% or more and this topic is marked complete.

Question 1

Question 1 of 3

Which tool copies data to Azure Storage from the command line?

Question 2

Question 2 of 3

Which tool keeps an on-premises Windows file server in sync with Azure Files?

Question 3

Question 3 of 3

Which tool provides a graphical interface for managing storage and uses AzCopy underneath?

Quick revision

Key points

  • AzCopy = command line, scripting.
  • Storage Explorer = desktop GUI (uses AzCopy).
  • Azure File Sync = sync Windows file servers with Azure Files, with cloud tiering.

Important terminology

AzCopy
A command-line tool for copying data to, from and between storage accounts.
Azure Storage Explorer
A cross-platform desktop GUI for managing Azure Storage.
Azure File Sync
Synchronises Windows Server file shares with Azure Files, with optional cloud tiering.
Cloud tiering
Keeps frequently used files on the local server and leaves the rest in Azure.

Common mistakes

  • Using File Sync for blobs. It works with Azure Files.

Exam tips

  • "Command-line copy to storage" = AzCopy.
  • "GUI to manage storage" = Storage Explorer.
  • "Keep an on-premises file server in sync with the cloud" = Azure File Sync.

Five quick revision questions

  1. 1.Which tool is command-line?Show

    AzCopy.

  2. 2.Which tool provides a graphical interface?Show

    Azure Storage Explorer.

  3. 3.What does Storage Explorer use underneath?Show

    AzCopy.

  4. 4.Which tool syncs Windows Server with Azure Files?Show

    Azure File Sync.

  5. 5.What is cloud tiering?Show

    Keeping hot files locally while the rest stay in Azure.

Official references

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