Azure Files are fully managed file shares in the cloud that are accessible via the industry standard Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, Network File System (NFS) protocol, and Azure Files REST API. As such, we can map them directly to our file system (with a drive letter such as Z:) and work with them using Windows Explorer, like any other network share.
The problem comes when trying to remove them. And sometimes they just stop working altogether, which in turn causes issues with freezing when trying to use Windows Explorer or when browsing your file system using third-party apps.
We had this very same problem and found a solution online.
The Solution
You need to remove the mappings directly in the registry. Using RegEdit, open the following registry key and delete the folders for each mapping:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MountPoints2
You should also use the Powershell command below (replacing Z with whatever letter you used)…
The trick then is to log-off straight away without reopening Windows Explorer. It should then remove the drive. Microsoft – it really shouldn’t be this difficult in 2024!