How to do ftp file transfer

FTP is an insecure protocol that's vulnerable to man-in-the-middle and other attacks. To learn more about FTP's weaknesses and the more secure options for transferring files, please read the following articles:. SFTP Simplified. We strongly advise you to perform the succeeding steps only for educational purposes or for transmitting non-sensitive information.

A file transfer involving two servers is called a server to server file transfer. The client is the file transfer software used for uploading sending or downloading retrieving files to or from the server. It can also be used for navigating and browsing certain directories found on that server. Notice how an FTP client can display the directory contents i. Once files have been uploaded to a server, those files can be accessed by other machines, including clients and other servers.

The admin of that server should be able to furnish you with the following information:. Typically speaking, the left panel in the FTP client shows your local computer's directories. You can navigate through the folders here to find the files you want to upload.

Start uploading the files. Either double-click a file to begin uploading it, or drag it from the left panel to the right panel. Monitor your uploads. The upload progress will be displayed in the bottom panel of the FTP window. Wait until your upload has completed before disconnecting from the FTP server.

Depending on your selected FTP client, you may be able to queue your uploads e. Method 2. Open This PC. Type in this pc , then click the computer-shaped This PC app icon at the top of the Start menu. Click the Computer tab. It's in the upper-left side of the window. Doing so prompts a toolbar to appear at the top of the window.

You'll find this option in the "Network" section of the toolbar. Click Next when prompted. Doing so will begin the FTP server setup. Click Choose a custom network location. It's at the top of the window. Click Next. This option is at the bottom of the window. Enter the address for the FTP server. It's at the bottom of the window. Set your username for the FTP server. If the FTP server requires usernames in order to connect, uncheck the "Log on anonymously" box and enter the username you want to use in the text field.

If the server doesn't require a username, it's a good idea to keep the "Log on anonymously" box checked. Enter a name for the FTP server. Type your preferred name for the server into the text box in the middle of the window.

The name is simply for your reference to help you find it on your computer. Click Next , then click Finish. Both options are at the bottom of their respective pages in the FTP setup window. This will complete the setup process and attempt to open your FTP server. You may have to wait a minute or so before the FTP server folder will open. You can also just double-click the server's folder in This PC to open it.

Enter your password if prompted. If you are connecting to a secured FTP, you'll be asked for your user password when you first connect. Enter the password when prompted or the connection won't work. Upload files to the FTP server.

Keep in mind that this only works for servers for which you have permission to upload: Find a file that you want to upload. Method 3. Click Go. It's at the top of your Mac's screen. Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu. Click Connect to Server…. You'll find this option near the bottom of the drop-down menu. Enter the server's address.

This command is used to change the Local system directory to directory-name. LCD Library-name. This command is used to change the Remote system directory to directory-name. CD Library-name. This command is used to fetch a file from remote system. This can be used to fetch save-file also:. MGET aminem. To send a file to remote system. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work.

This article has been viewed , times. This wikiHow teaches you how to understand and use File Transfer Protocol FTP to move files from your computer to a web server and vice versa. Install FileZilla. Open FileZilla. Enter your FTP server info. Enter your username and password. Click Quickconnect. Browse the folders on the right to see what's on the server. Browse the folders on the left to see what's on the local drive.

Right-click a file and select Upload or Download. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers.

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Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, and is a connection method designed for transferring files from a remote server to local computer, and vice versa. FTP is often used in corporate and academic settings, and is the primary way of managing webpage servers. Understand the parts of an FTP address.

When you come across FTP addresses on a webpage, they are usually denoted in the same way as a usual webpage address—with a couple of exceptions: For example, you might see ftp.

This means that the address is ftp. You will need both of these when connecting to the FTP server. If the FTP requires a username, it may be written as username ftp.

If no username is specified, then you will usually need to enter "anonymous" as the username when you connect. Note that you are not actually anonymous when you connect to a public FTP; the host can see your IP address.