Any connection to an FTP server has to be done through an FTP account. An FTP Account has a username and a password, and is unique to that web server. Each account is afforded a set of permissions, which control what that account can do to the files on the server. Permissions start from listing the contents of the folders, to reading files, all the way up to modifying or even deleting files from the web server. Each account also has what is called a ‘working directory’, which is a subsection of the server it can access, so that users can’t alter or damage system files or files belonging to other users.

In some cases, servers can employ what is called Anonymous FTP. Anonymous FTP allows you to access an FTP server without having to use an FTP account. The anonymous account is usually given very strict permissions and access, to keep temporary internet users from damaging the files on the server. Most uses of anonymous FTP are for allowing downloads and distributing files to the internet community.

In the following walkthrough, we’ll go through using FTP via Windows Explorer. Windows Explorer is the built-in utility that shows you the folders, files, drives and other devices on your Windows computer and can also function as an FTP client. There are many other FTP clients available that allow you to get more in-depth and have a wider array of extra features available. However, Windows Explorer will allow you to upload, download, and manage your files on the remote server in a familiar and easy-to-use manner. Also, as Windows Explorer is an integral part of every Windows installation, it will be available for use on any Windows-based computer.

 

1.       Before you FTP, you will need several pieces of information:

a.       The FTP server name ( a domain name such as ftp.example.com or an IP address)

b.      Your FTP account username

c.       Your FTP account password

 

2.       Open up Windows Explorer. The easiest way to do so is to right-click on your Start Menu icon and select ‘Explore’.

 

 

 

3.       You should see a screen similar to that pictured below. The box on the left hand side shows the folders currently available. The right hand backs displays the content of the currently selected folder or device. The bar running directly above both of these boxes is the ‘Address Bar.’

 

 

4.       In the address bar, you want to type out the name of your FTP server, and press ‘Enter.’

 

 

 

5.       If this is your first time logging on, or your server is not configured to allow anonymous FTP, then you should see a screen like the one below asking you for your username and password. Enter in your information and click ‘Log On.’

 

 

6.       Once it connects you will have a view of your working FTP directory, with any available subfolders and files.

 

 

From this point on, you can treat your FTP connection much like you would a set of folders on your hard drive. Depending on the FTP account's permissions, you can upload a folder to your server simply by ‘Copy’ing it from your local computer and ‘Paste’ing it where it needs to be on your server, or even just by dragging and dropping into place! You can move files around the server itself, create new folders, open files and update them all through the Windows Explorer interface. All changes made there are being uploaded to the server in real-time by Windows Explorer via the FTP connection, so be careful when deleting or changing files.