Installation

This article contains detailed description of downloading and installing WinSCP. You may want to see simplified guide to the process instead.

You can use WinSCP executable as a portable application with its settings stored in an INI file and no installation required. This configuration is best for using WinSCP from removable media. If possible, you should complete a full installation.

Obtaining WinSCP
Automating Installation
Custom Distribution of WinSCP
Administration Tasks
Upgrading WinSCP
Downgrading WinSCP
Removing WinSCP

Obtaining WinSCP

You can obtain WinSCP from the WinSCP download page. You should save the installer to an easily accessible location such as your Microsoft Windows desktop or your My Documents folder.

Automating Installation

WinSCP uses Inno Setup as installer. It lets you use optional command-line parameters to automate the installation.

You can use following parameters to automate the installation:

/SILENT - Runs the installer without any prompts (with the exception of error messages, etc.). Default selections are used for destination folder, components, etc.
/VERYSILENT - As /SILENT, but without showing the progress window.
/NORESTART - Instructs installer not to reboot even if it’s necessary.
/LOG=“filename” - Causes Setup to create a log file.
/LOADINF=“filename” - Instructs Setup to load the settings from the specified file after having checked the command line. This file can be prepared using the /SAVEINF parameter.
/SAVEINF=“filename” - Instructs Setup to save installation settings to the specified file.
/NOCANDY - Do not show advertisements from OpenCandy advertising network during installation.1

For full list of parameters, refer to Inno Setup help (chapter Other Information > Setup Command Line Parameters).

Custom Distribution of WinSCP

Learn how to create a custom distribution of WinSCP.

Administration Tasks

Learn how a system administrator can restrict or enforce certain functionality of the application.

Upgrading WinSCP

To upgrade WinSCP, download the newer version, and then install it. The installation will preserve your configuration, and–if necessary–upgrade it.

Any translation from your previous WinSCP version will not work with the new version. You must install the new translation.

When upgrading Portable executable, just replace the executable files with the new version. New version can always read configuration from the old version.

Downgrading WinSCP

In most cases, you may downgrade in the same way as upgrade (i.e. install the old version over the newer one). However safe way is to uninstall the newer version (while keeping your configuration) and only then install the old version.

Note that some of your configurations may be lost when downgrading. To make sure that you will be able to downgrade, you should backup your configuration before the upgrade.

Removing WinSCP

To remove WinSCP, use Add/Remove Programs function in Microsoft Windows’ Control Panel. During the removal, WinSCP will ask if you want to remove WinSCP configuration and other data stored on your computer.