WinSCP has two executables:

• winscp.exe: Main executable, supports both GUI and console operation;
• winscp.com: Console interface tool, supports console operation only, allows input/output redirection.

This follows two basic executable types of Windows operation system, GUI and console.

The EXE executable is the main one.

What you can do with it:

• When run, it by default starts in GUI mode, showing Login dialog;
• Using command-line options, it can be started in console mode;
• It can be used to execute script without showing any window (by omitting /console parameter).

The EXE executable downloaded for portable use is by default named winscpXXX.exe, where XXX is version.

The COM executable is simple tool that internally runs winscp.exe and provides console interface for it.

What you can do with it:

• Supports console mode only, but allows input/output redirection;
• When run from another console application (such as standard Windows console/command-line window, i.e. cmd.exe), it inherits its console1).

The COM executable needs the EXE one to operate. It looks for it in the same directory, where it is located itself. The EXE must have the exactly same name.

The COM executable is not available for download separately for portable use. However you can install WinSCP temporarily and copy the executable out of the installation folder. Make sure you rename the COM to match name of the EXE.

For input/output redirection use standard operators:

• > for output redirection;
• < for input redirection;
• | for piping.