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, tooling, and step-by-step instructions assume or require a Windows system. Only Windows tools (BitLocker, manage-bde, WAImportExport.exe) are mentioned, and all example commands are for Windows command line or PowerShell. There are no Linux or macOS equivalents, nor any mention of cross-platform alternatives. The documentation does not address how users on non-Windows systems can participate in the import/export process.
Recommendations:
- Explicitly state early in the documentation that the Azure Import/Export tool and workflow are Windows-only, if that is the case, and provide rationale.
- If possible, provide or reference Linux/macOS-compatible tools or workflows, or clarify their absence and suggest alternatives (such as using a Windows VM or Azure VM for preparation).
- Include a section addressing Linux/macOS users, outlining any supported approaches or workarounds.
- If future cross-platform support is planned, mention this and provide a feedback channel for interested users.
- Where possible, use neutral language (e.g., 'on your system' instead of 'on your Windows system') and avoid assuming the user is on Windows unless strictly necessary.
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Flagged Code Snippets
./WAImportExport.exe PrepImport /j:<journal file name> /id:session<session number> /t:<Drive letter> /bk:<BitLocker key> /srcdir:<Drive letter>:\ /dstdir:<Container name>/ /blobtype:<BlockBlob or PageBlob> /skipwrite
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. To update your job or cancel your job, run the [Update-AzImportExport](/powershell/module/az.importexport/update-azimportexport) cmdlet:
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. 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. 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. This ensures 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: