Azure Files

What it is

Azure Files is a fully managed cloud file share you can mount from Windows, Linux, and macOS machines over SMB and NFS protocols — like a shared network drive (“<account>.file.core.windows.net<share>”).

Why it exists

When existing/lift-and-shift apps need a traditional file share (directories, ACLs, drive-letter mount) rather than object blobs, Azure Files gives a native SMB/NFS endpoint in the cloud with AD/Entra identity-based auth — no file server to run.

Key ideas

• Shares live in a storage account (standard file shares in GPv2; premium file shares in the premium kind).
• Mount everywhere via SMB 3.x / NFS v4.1; cache locally with Azure File Sync for l​​hybrid scenarios.
• Identity & authZ: on-prem AD DS, Microsoft Entra ID (Kerberos), or shared keys.
• Features: file share snapshots (read-only point-in-time copies), soft delete for file shares, restore from snapshots, cross-protocol vs SMB/NFS choice.
• vs Blob storage: blobs = object store/PaaS; Azure Files = shared-drive/file share for file-based apps.

How it fits (diagram)

Exam notes

• Azure Files = file shares (SMB/NFS); Azure Blob = object containers. Choose files when you need mountable shared directories.
• Snapshots = instant read-only backups of a share; soft delete recovers deleted shares.
• Premium file shares use SSD for consistent, low-latency IOPS.
• File Sync is the tool to extend an on-prem Windows file server to the cloud.

Related

storage-account · file-sync · blob-storage · azure-tables

📘 Source: Microsoft Learn — Azure Files