Overview of Azure Files authorization and access control
Regardless of which identity source you choose for identity-based authentication on your storage account, you need to configure authorization and access control. Azure Files enforces authorization on user access at the share level, the directory level, and the file level.
Learn how to configure file - and folder-level permissions (Windows ACLs) for Azure file shares, supporting both hybrid and cloud -only identities.
Azure Files
Scenario: Your organization needs to migrate on-premises file shares to Azure Files while maintaining existing Active Directory-based access controls. Users should be able to access Azure Files using their domain credentials with appropriate permissions based on their group memberships.

As we can see from the illustration, Authorization For Cloud File Sharing has many fascinating aspects to explore.
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Learn about the different ways to authorize access to data in Azure Storage. Azure Storage supports authorization with Microsoft Entra ID, Shared Key authorization , or shared access signatures (SAS), and also supports anonymous access to blobs.
Learn how to control access to Azure Files by assigning share-level permissions to control user access to SMB Azure file shares with identity-based authentication.
Master Guide

Master Guide: Microsoft Entra Authentication for Azure Files (SMB with Entra-Only Identities) This guide explains how to configure Azure Files SMB access with Microsoft Entra ID only.
Learn how requests to Azure Files for accessing file data are authenticated and authorized through a Microsoft Entra account or a storage account access key.
Azure File Share with Entra Kerberos Authentication
With Azure Files and Entra Kerberos authentication, organizations can finally deliver a true single sign-on experience for both Windows and macOS devices, without relying on legacy Active Directory. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to make it happen.
Just like Windows file servers, you can grant permissions to an identity at the share, directory, or file level. There's no extra service charge to enable identity-based authentication on your storage account. Azure Files supports identity-based authentication over SMB for Windows, Linux, and macOS clients.
Understanding Authorization For Cloud File Sharing Before the Gallery
15 Best Business Cloud Storage and File Sharing Providers in 2025. It gives the article a little more context before the image collection begins.
Best Cloud Based File Sharing Services: 2026 Comparison. It works as a short bridge between the article summary and the gallery section.
The Best Business Cloud Storage and File-Sharing Providers for 2026. The extra context helps the page feel more useful without forcing the same phrase repeatedly.