title: Download an entire SQL Azure database as single file
body: <p>Is there a facility in Azure to get a copy of the database? Or rather, detach the mdf and get it as file? On occasion I create a database in the cloud, it's up for a while, and then I want to take it down and archive it. My current rutine copies the database using <a href="http://sqlazuremw.codeplex.com/" rel="noreferrer" title="Link to codeplex">SQL Azure Migration Wizard</a> to a local Express instance, which I then detach and put in a safe place.</p>
  
  <p><strong>EDIT</strong>
  Interestingly my method of choice throws an exception this time around. So it's far from ideal.</p>