Downloading Files

First select the remote files or directories you want to download. You can select the files in the remote panel, either in file list or in directory tree (one directory only).

Then drag your selection and drop it on local directory.

If you are using Norton Commander interface you can drop the files on its local panel. If you drop the files on empty place on file list, the files will be downloaded to current local directory. If you drop the files on local directory icon (either in the file list or directory tree), the files will be downloaded to that directory.

You can also drop the files to Windows Explorer or other application. Possible external transfer destinations and the way thay are handled depends on whether you have or not installed the drag&drop shell extension. If you have installed it, you can drag the files to Windows Explorer (including desktop) only. On the other hand, the files will be transfered directly to the destination. If you have not installed the extension, you can drag the files to the most applications supporting drag&drop (for example archivers). Drawback is that the files need to be downloaded to temporary directory first.

Before the download actually starts, the transfer options dialog will show. There you will have a chance to change the transfer options or the target directory. The target directory is not shown and cannot be changed if you drag files to external application and the drag&drop shell extension is not installed. You can avoid the dialog being shown on Environment tab of Preferences dialog.

If you prefer controlling application using keyboard, you will probably find Norton Commander interface useful.

First select the remote files or directories you want to download. With Norton Commander interface make sure that remote panel is still active. Then use File(s) > Copy or corresponding keyboard shortcut.

Before the upload actually starts, the transfer options dialog will show. There you will have a chance to change the transfer options or the target directory. The target directory is by default the current local directory with Norton Commander interface and the last used local directory with Explorer-like interface.

By default the download starts on foreground, blocking the WinSCP window until it finishes. Learn how to schedule the background transfer.