How To Turn Windows File Explorer Into An FTP Client

The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used for the transfer of computer files between a client and server on a computer network. FTP is built on a client-server model architecture and uses separate control and data connections between the client and the server. Moreover, you can also use FTP to transfer files between computers, from a computer to a mobile device, or vice versa.  You can use a third party app to use FTP. But if you use FTP frequently then it is

In this article, we will discuss how to turn Windows File Explorer into an FTP Client.

How to Set Up File Transfer Protocol (FTP) in File Explorer

Adding FTP servers to File Explorer is not new to Windows. Though it was not that good at the start now it has improved a lot. Once you add FTP server to File Explorer, you can access the server just as you access any other folder or driver on the computer. Then, transferring the files will be as easy as dragging & dropping.

Step 1: Choose Add A Network Location –

To add the network location, follow these steps:

• Open Windows Explorer (Press Windows key along with E)
• Navigate to This PC in the left-hand side pane.
• Click Computer from the top menu to open the ribbon menu, then Add a network location.
• Once you have clicked on Add a network location, Add network location wizard will open.
• Click Next and click “Choose a custom network location” to choose it when prompted, then again click Next.

Step 2: Enter The FTP Server Address –

Once you have clicked Next after selecting “Choose a custom network location”, then it would prompt to type in the IP address or domain name of the FTP server.

If you’re transferring files for web hosting, you need to enter the FTP address that you would have received as a part of your welcome email from your web host. But if you’re connecting to another device on your local network, you can use a private internal IP address.

Note: Don’t forget to include the ftp:// at the beginning, which indicates to Windows that you want to use the FTP protocol.

Step 3: Enter Your Username  –

Once you added the FTP Server address, you will get another dialog box with the message, “ Most FTP servers allow users to log on anonymously with limited access to the server. Do you want to log on anonymously?”

You can checkmark the box beside Log on anonymously or you can add a user name.

Also Read: 10 Best Free Data Recovery Software for Windows 10, 7 and 8

Step 4: Name the FTP Server and Connect to the FTP Server –

• Assigning a name to the server is a good option so that you don’t have to juggle IP addresses and risk getting confused.
• This would be the name that would display on File Explorer window.
• Once you are done, click Next and then Finish.
• Go to File Explorer and click on This PC and look under Network Locations section.
• You will see the FTP server with the name that you gave.
• Double-click it to connect.
• It will prompt to enter your password. You can check Save password box if you don’t want to enter the password again and again.
• Click Log on and it is done!

You can also browse FTP server in the File explorer left side pane. All you need to do is click on the arrow beside This PC to expand it and locate FTP server that you recently added. You can also add FTP server to Quick access.

Try this to transfer your files from one network to the other and let us know if it makes your work easier in the comments.