CloudBerry Explorer for Azure Blob Storage — Full Feature OverviewCloudBerry Explorer for Azure Blob Storage (now branded under the MSP360 family) is a desktop file manager designed to simplify interaction with Microsoft Azure Blob Storage. It combines an intuitive two-pane interface with a comprehensive set of features for file transfer, management, security, and automation. This overview explains its core features, typical workflows, configuration tips, and considerations when deciding whether it fits your cloud storage management needs.
What is CloudBerry Explorer?
CloudBerry Explorer is a client application that connects to cloud object storage and presents it in a file manager-style UI. For Azure Blob Storage, it allows users to browse containers, upload and download blobs, manage blob properties and metadata, set permissions, and perform bulk operations. It supports multiple Azure accounts and storage types (including Blob and Archive tiers) and provides tools tailored to common administrative and backup workflows.
Key features
- File manager–style interface
- Two-pane layout (local files on one side, Azure Blob Storage on the other) for drag-and-drop transfers.
- Tree view and breadcrumb navigation for easy container and virtual folder traversal.
- Multi-account support
- Manage multiple Azure storage accounts simultaneously — useful for organizations with separate development, staging, and production accounts.
- Upload/download and synchronization
- Standard transfer operations with options for overwrite rules, resume, and verify.
- Folder synchronization to keep local folders and cloud containers in sync (one-way and two-way sync options).
- Multithreaded and resumable transfers
- Parallel uploads/downloads to improve throughput and partial-transfer resume after interruptions.
- Bulk operations and filters
- Batch rename, delete, copy, and move across containers; filtering by file masks and sizes.
- Metadata and properties management
- View and edit blob metadata and HTTP headers (content type, cache control, content-encoding).
- Access control and Shared Access Signatures (SAS)
- Generate SAS tokens with customizable permissions and expiry.
- Manage container-level access policies and public access settings.
- Encryption and security
- Support for client-side encryption (when available) and integration with secure credentials storage.
- Compression and archiving
- Built-in compression options for transfers (where supported) to reduce bandwidth and storage costs.
- Automation and scripting
- Command-line support and scheduling (depending on edition) to automate repetitive tasks.
- Integration with other services
- Interoperate with other cloud providers or local file systems for multi-cloud workflows.
- Logging and reporting
- Transfer logs for auditing and troubleshooting.
Editions and licensing
CloudBerry Explorer is available in different editions (Free and Pro/paid tiers). The free edition covers basic browsing and simple transfers, while the paid/pro versions add advanced features such as multithreaded transfers, encryption, compression, and automation capabilities. Licensing can be per-user or per-workstation depending on the plan. Check MSP360’s current pricing and feature matrix to confirm which edition includes the features you need.
Typical workflows
- Quick uploads and downloads
- Drag a folder from your local pane to a blob container to upload. Use filters to exclude temporary or system files.
- Large dataset transfers
- Enable multipart and multithreaded uploads to maximize throughput. Use resumable transfers to handle network interruptions.
- Data migration between accounts
- Connect both source and destination storage accounts, then use copy/move operations to transfer containers or selected blobs.
- Backup and sync
- Configure one-way sync from local backups to blob containers and schedule regular runs (Pro features). Use retention policies and versioning on the Azure side if needed.
- Managed sharing
- Generate SAS tokens for limited-time access to specific blobs or containers and share the URL with external collaborators.
Security considerations
- Credentials
- Store access keys and SAS tokens securely. Prefer using SAS with limited permissions and short expiration for sharing.
- Encryption
- Use Azure Storage encryption at rest by default; enable client-side encryption if you need end-to-end confidentiality.
- Network security
- When possible, restrict storage account access via virtual network rules, service endpoints, or private endpoints. Use CloudBerry from trusted networks and devices.
- Auditability
- Combine CloudBerry logs with Azure Storage logging and Azure Monitor to maintain comprehensive audit trails.
Performance tips
- Use multithreading and multipart uploads for large files.
- Increase concurrent transfer threads in settings if your network and disk I/O allow.
- Use appropriate content-type and cache-control headers to optimize downstream delivery.
- For massive transfers, consider running CloudBerry on a VM located in the same Azure region to reduce latency and egress costs.
Limitations and caveats
- GUI-focused: While it offers command-line options, CloudBerry Explorer is primarily a GUI tool; large-scale automated migrations might be better handled with Azure Data Factory, AzCopy, or custom scripts.
- Licensing: Advanced features require a paid license.
- Feature parity: Some advanced Azure features (like lifecycle management policies or certain access control scenarios) are better managed directly in the Azure Portal or with Azure CLI/PowerShell.
- Vendor naming: CloudBerry branding was updated to MSP360; be aware of branding changes when searching for documentation.
Alternatives to consider
| Tool | Strengths | When to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Azure Storage Explorer | Free, official Microsoft tool with deep Azure integration | You need a fully supported Microsoft tool with broad Azure feature support |
| AzCopy | Fast, scriptable command-line tool optimized for bulk transfers | You need high-performance scripted data migration |
| Azure Data Factory | Managed ETL and large-scale data movement | Enterprise ETL, scheduled pipelines, complex transformations |
| Rclone | Flexible, open-source multi-cloud CLI tool | You prefer open-source and scriptable multi-cloud operations |
Installation and setup (brief)
- Download CloudBerry Explorer / MSP360 Explorer for Azure from the vendor site.
- Install and launch the application on Windows (and macOS where supported).
- Add an Azure account by supplying Storage Account name and Access Key, or by configuring SAS/Shared Key credentials.
- Connect and browse containers; adjust transfer and thread settings in Options.
Example: Creating a SAS token and uploading a file
- In CloudBerry, right-click a container and choose “Generate SAS.”
- Set permissions (read/list/write) and expiration.
- Copy the generated URL or token.
- Drag the local file into the container pane; monitor progress and confirm completion in the transfer log.
Conclusion
CloudBerry Explorer for Azure Blob Storage is a powerful desktop tool for administrators and power users who prefer a GUI to manage Azure object storage. It provides a feature-rich environment for transfers, metadata management, SAS generation, and basic automation. For heavy automation or cloud-native features, use it alongside Azure CLI/AzCopy or Azure Portal features. Choose the edition that fits your needs and consider performance and security best practices when working with production data.
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