This guide contains simplified description of scheduling operations on FTP/SFTP server with WinSCP.

To schedule an operation on FTP/SFTP server you can combine scripting/automation functionality of WinSCP with Windows scheduling capability.

Before starting you should:

• Have WinSCP installed;
• Know how to connect to your FTP/SFTP account;
• Automate your operations using WinSCP scripting functionality.

To add new scheduled task:

• Go to Control Panel:
  • Windows 8: While on desktop, go to the charms (press Win+C or move mouse cursor to either right screen corner) and select Settings > Control Panel.
  • Windows 7: Go to Windows Start Menu > Control Panel.
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• In Control Panel, go to System and Security > Administrative Tools > Schedule Tasks.
• In the Task Scheduler menu go to Action > Create Basic Task.
• Give your task a name and click Next.
• Choose when the task should be run and click Next.
• For task action, select Start a program and click Next.
• Browse for WinSCP.exe executable.
• In Add arguments add appropriate WinSCP command-line parameters to execute the scripting commands you need (typically you will use /script or /command parameters).
  The resulting arguments may look like:
  /command "option batch abort" "option confirm off" "open user:password@example.com" "put d:\examplefile.txt /home/user/" "exit"
  Note that the command-line parameter /console was not specified, what makes WinSCP.exe not show the console window, not to disturb you while you are using your workstation.
• You may want to use /log parameter to turn on session logging to file.
• When done, click Next, review your options and confirm with Finish.

To add new scheduled task:

• Go to Windows Start Menu > Settings > Control Panel > Scheduled Tasks > Add Scheduled Task.
• Browse for WinSCP.exe executable, and setup other task properties (like period of execution).
• In advanced properties add appropriate WinSCP command-line parameters to execute the scripting commands you need (typically you will use /script or /command parameters).
  The resulting command may look like:
  "C:\Program Files\WinSCP\WinSCP.exe" /command "option batch abort" "option confirm off" "open user:password@example.com" "put d:\examplefile.txt /home/user/" "exit"
  Note that the command-line parameter /console was not specified, what makes WinSCP.exe not show the console window, not to disturb you while you are using your workstation.
• You may want to use /log parameter to turn on session logging to file.

• FAQ on scheduler to prevent common mistakes with scheduling;
• Troubleshooting;
• Guide to automation;
• Command-line parameters;
• Scripting documentation.