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

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:

• Open Task Scheduler:
  • Windows 10: Go to Windows Start Menu > Settings. In Find a setting box type “Schedule Tasks”.
  • Windows 8.1: Right click Windows Start button and select Control Panel. In Control Panel, go to System and Security > Administrative Tools > Schedule Tasks.
  • Windows 7: Go to Windows Start Menu > Control Panel. 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).
• You should also add /log parameter to turn on session logging to file.
• The resulting arguments may look like:
  /log=c:\path\winscp.log /command "open sftp://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 can have WinSCP generate the command-line template for you.
• If your script uses local paths relative to the script path or WinSCP executable path, specify the respective path in Start in field.
• 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).
• You should also add /log parameter to turn on session logging to file.
• The resulting command may look like:
  "C:\Program Files (x86)\WinSCP\WinSCP.exe" /log=c:\path\winscp.log /command "open sftp://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 can have WinSCP generate the command-line template for you.
• If your script uses local paths relative to the script path or WinSCP executable path, specify the respective path in Start in field. <3

If you need to schedule a file transfer/synchronization task on Azure WebSite, you can use WinSCP from a WebJob.

You can also use the WebJob without having an actual web site as a cloud-hosted scheduled task.

• FAQ on scheduler to prevent common mistakes with scheduling;
• Debugging transfer task running in Windows Scheduler or generic troubleshooting guide;
• Guide to automation;
• Command-line parameters;
• Scripting documentation.