About This Page
This page is part of the Azure documentation. It contains code examples and configuration instructions for working with Azure services.
Bias Analysis
Bias Types:
⚠️
windows_first
⚠️
missing_linux_example
⚠️
windows_tools
⚠️
powershell_heavy
Summary:
The documentation is heavily biased toward Windows environments. All prerequisites, setup, and tooling (WAImportExport.exe) are Windows-only. Instructions for preparing drives, running the import tool, and even enabling long paths are specific to Windows. No Linux or macOS equivalents, tools, or examples are provided. The only cross-platform sections are the Azure CLI and PowerShell examples for creating jobs, but the core data preparation workflow is Windows-exclusive.
Recommendations:
- Clearly state at the beginning that the Import/Export tool and workflow are only supported on Windows, if that is the case. If Linux/macOS support is planned, provide a roadmap or alternatives.
- If partial Linux support exists (e.g., for job creation via CLI), clarify which steps can be done from Linux and which require Windows.
- If possible, develop and document a Linux-compatible version of the WAImportExport tool, or provide guidance for Linux users (e.g., using a Windows VM, Docker container, or Azure-hosted VM for the preparation steps).
- Add explicit notes or callouts for Linux/macOS users about the lack of support and any available workarounds.
- Where possible, provide Linux shell command equivalents for Azure CLI and job management steps, even if the core data preparation remains Windows-only.
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Flagged Code Snippets
BasePath,DstItemPathOrPrefix,ItemType
"F:\MyFolder1\MyFile1.txt","MyAzureFileshare1/MyFile1.txt",file
"F:\MyFolder2\","MyAzureFileshare1/",file
"F:\MyFolder1\MyFile1.txt","MyAzureFileshare1/MyFile1.txt",file
"F:\MyFolder2\","MyAzureFileshare1/",file
1. To get a list of the locations to which you can ship disks, use the [Get-AzImportExportLocation](/powershell/module/az.importexport/get-azimportexportlocation) cmdlet:
1. To update your job or cancel your job, run the [Update-AzImportExport](/powershell/module/az.importexport/update-azimportexport) cmdlet:
DriveLetter,FormatOption,SilentOrPromptOnFormat,Encryption,ExistingBitLockerKey
H,Format,SilentMode,Encrypt,
DriveLetter,FormatOption,SilentOrPromptOnFormat,Encryption,ExistingBitLockerKey
G,AlreadyFormatted,SilentMode,AlreadyEncrypted,060456-014509-132033-080300-252615-584177-672089-411631
.\WAImportExport.exe PrepImport /j:<JournalFile> /id:<SessionId> [/logdir:<LogDirectory>] [/silentmode] [/InitialDriveSet:<driveset.csv>]/DataSet:<dataset.csv>
.\WAImportExport.exe PrepImport /j:JournalTest.jrn /id:session#1 /InitialDriveSet:driveset.csv /DataSet:dataset.csv /logdir:C:\logs
az import-export create \
--resource-group myierg \
--name MyIEjob1 \
--location "West US" \
--backup-drive-manifest true \
--diagnostics-path waimportexport \
--drive-list bit-locker-key=439675-460165-128202-905124-487224-524332-851649-442187 \
drive-header-hash= drive-id=AZ31BGB1 manifest-file=\\DriveManifest.xml \
manifest-hash=69512026C1E8D4401816A2E5B8D7420D \
--type Import \
--log-level Verbose \
--shipping-information recipient-name="Microsoft Azure Import/Export Service" \
street-address1="3020 Coronado" city="Santa Clara" state-or-province=CA postal-code=98054 \
country-or-region=USA phone=4083527600 \
--return-address recipient-name="Gus Poland" street-address1="1020 Enterprise way" \
city=Sunnyvale country-or-region=USA state-or-province=CA postal-code=94089 \
email=gus@contoso.com phone=4085555555" \
--return-shipping carrier-name=FedEx carrier-account-number=123456789 \
--storage-account myssdocsstorage
### Create a job
1. You can use an existing resource group or create one. To create a resource group, run the [New-AzResourceGroup](/powershell/module/az.resources/new-azresourcegroup) cmdlet:
1. You can use an existing storage account or create one. To create a storage account, run the [New-AzStorageAccount](/powershell/module/az.storage/new-azstorageaccount) cmdlet:
1. Use the `Get-AzImportExportLocation` cmdlet with the `Name` parameter to get locations for your region:
1. Run the following [New-AzImportExport](/powershell/module/az.importexport/new-azimportexport) example to create an import job:
> [!TIP]
> Instead of specifying an email address for a single user, provide a group email to ensure that you receive notifications even if an admin leaves.
1. Use the [Get-AzImportExport](/powershell/module/az.importexport/get-azimportexport) cmdlet to see all the jobs for the myierg resource group: