using Azure Storage Explorer - Quick question

Question

I downloaded Storage Explorer to download an VHD to an external Drive.

1. this file is 2TB, I see it downloading under the activities section but the file or extension of it is not on the external drive at all? does it "show up" on the external drive when this file is done downloading?
2. I am assuming that the disk name doesnt mean anything (as there is a date time stamp on it) and that when downloading this VHD - it is of the most recent image?
3. does anyone suggest another method to download 2tb VHD to an external drive that isn't Storage Explorer?

thanks so much

Answer 1

Nick Barbarise • Welcome to Microsoft Q&A, thank you for posting your here!!

It's important to understand that when you download a large file like a 2TB VHD using a tool like Azure Storage Explorer or any other similar utility, ensure that you have sufficient storage space on the external drive to accommodate the 2TB file, as well as a stable internet connection since downloading large files can take a considerable amount of time.

1. Download the VHD: In Storage Explorer or your chosen utility, initiate the download of the 2TB VHD. The download will typically progress in the "activities" or "status" section of the application.
2. Choose Destination: After the download completes, you'll usually be prompted to select a destination folder where you want to save the downloaded VHD. At this point, you should select your external drive as the destination.
3. Check for Completion: Once the download is complete, check your external drive to ensure that the VHD is present and accessible.

If you're having issues with Storage Explorer or prefer an alternative method, you can also consider using Azure PowerShell or Azure CLI or AZ Copy to download the VHD. Here's a basic example using AZ copy.

• Download and Install AZ Copy: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-use-azcopy-v10#download-azcopy
• Stop the VM from Azure Portal where the managed disk is attached. If it is not attached to any VM then you can skip this step.
• Now navigate to the managed disk that you want to download from Azure Portal and then Select on Disk Export--> increase the URL expires as you are downloading 2TB disk (when you don't change the URL expires by default it takes 3600 seconds) -->then click on generate URL.

Now copy the generated URL and paste it in a Notepad and form the azcopy commands as below.

azcopy cp "SecureURL of the disk Export" "Destination local path"

Example:

azcopy cp "https://Storageaccountname.z40.blob.storage.azure.net/z2c4xq51wb5h/abcd?sv=2018-03-28&sr=b&si=" "D:\2023"

Disk name abcd downloaded successfully to an external drive

Source Link: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/download-vhd?tabs=azure-portal#generate-download-url

Hope this helps!
Kindly let us know if the above helps or you need further assistance on this issue.

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