Schedule file transfers (or synchronization) to FTP/SFTP server

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:

Scheduling on Windows 7

To add new scheduled task:

Go to Windows Start Menu > Control Panel > 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 client 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.