How do I connect to FTP using WinSCP?
WinSCP is a free and popular FTP client for Microsoft Windows, supporting several protocols, including FTP, FTPS, SCP, SFTP, WebDAV, and S3 file transfer protocols. Here is how to connect to our servers using WinSCP.
Step 1: Download and install WinSCP from their website https://winscp.net/eng/index.php.
- Click the Download now button to view the latest version. Once on this page, click the green button to download the installer. Once you download the setup file, run it to install the program.
Step 2: After installing the application, you need to configure it to connect to the server so you can begin uploading your files. You should be greeted with the Login screen.
Step 3: While there are several options available on this page, we only need to concern ourselves with the Session settings. Here is where you will enter the FTP credentials:
- File Protocol: Select FTP from the drop-down.
- Encryption: Use TLS/SSL Explicit Encryption or No Encryption.
- If you use encryption, you may see an SSL error because the program is finding the server's SSL. Click Yes to continue.
- Host Name: This refers to your domain name, server name, or IP address.
- Port Number: This should default to 21.
- User Name: This is your FTP username that you set up in your hosting account.
- Password: This is the FTP password you set when the account was created.
- Anonymous Login: Leave this unchecked.
Step 4: Once you have entered all this information, you can click the Login button at the bottom. You should now be connected to the server.
Step 5: You should now be connected to the server. Once connected, you can begin transferring files between your local machine and your web server by dragging and dropping them from one side to the other, or by right-clicking a file or folder and selecting Upload or Download.
- On the left, you will see the file structure of your local machine.
- On the right, you will see the file structure of the remote server (your cPanel account).