Connect to FTP server or SFTP server

Before you connect, you need to know at least:

• Host name1 of the server2, such as ftp.example.com. Particularly when connecting to server hosting your website, note that the host name of the server, where you connect to manage the web site may not be the same as your website domain.
• Protocol the server supports (FTP, SFTP, FTPS, etc.);
• Account username;
• Account password3.

If you do not know these details, ask administrator of the system you are trying to connect to, such as:

• IT Support department of company you work in;
• IT Support department of university you study at;
• Webhosting company that provides you a website.

Start WinSCP. Login Dialog will appear. On the dialog:

• Select Session page (it will be selected already if you are using WinSCP for the first time).
• Enter your host name to Host name field, username to User name and password to Password
• Select your File protocol. When you are about to use FTPS protocol, select FTP and then choose one of the FTPS invocation methods.
• You may want to save your session details to a site (stored session) so you do not need to type them in every time you want to connect. Press Save button and type site name.
• Press Login to connect.

• Troubleshooting;
• Other guides to using WinSCP;
• Tasks you can do with WinSCP.