Configure FTP server

How to install an FTP server

• FTP server (IIS server) installed at the time of OS installation, but we have to enable server features see below steps.

Step 1

• Use the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut to open the Power User menu and select Programs and Features.

Step 2

• Click the Turn Windows features on or off link.

Step 3

• Expand Internet Information Services and check the FTP Server, Web Management Tools, World Wide Web Services options with the default selections.

Step 4

• Click OK to begin the installation.

Step 5

• Click Close.

How to configure an FTP site

• After installing the necessary components to run an FTP server on your PC, you need to create an FTP site using the following steps.

Step 1

• Use the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut to open the Power User menu and select Control Panel.

Step 2

• Click on System and Security.

Step 3

• Open Administrative Tools.

Step 4

• Double-click Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.

Step 5

• Expand and right-click Sites on the Connections pane. Select Add FTP Site.

Step 6

• Name your new FTP site and enter the path to the FTP folder you want to use to send and receive files. Click Next.

Step 7

• Binding and SSL Settings leave all the default settings, but change the SSL option to No SSL. Click Next.

Step 8

• On Authentication, check the Basic option.
• On Authorization, select All users from the drop-down menu.
• Type the email address of your Windows account or local account name to allow yourself access to the FTP server.
• Check the options Read and Write.
• Click Finish.

How to allow an FTP server through Windows Firewall

• If you have Windows Firewall running on your computer, then the security feature will block any connections trying to access the FTP server.
• Use the below steps to allow the FTP server through the firewall.

Step 1

• Open the Start menu, do a search for Windows Firewall, and press Enter.

Step 2

• Click the Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall link.

Step 3

• Click the Changes settings button.

Step 4

• Select FTP Server and make sure to allow it on a Private and Public network.
• Click OK.

How to configure a router to allow external connections

• For your FTP server to be reachable from the internet, you need to configure your router to open TCP/IP port number 21 to allow connections to your PC.
• The instructions to forward a port will vary from router-to-router, but below you'll find the steps to configure most routers.

Step1

• Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run box and type cmd.

Step2

• Type the following command: ipconfig and press Enter.
• Make note of the Default Gateway IP address, which is the IP address of your router.
• Typically, it's private address in the 192.168.x.x range. For example, 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.2.1.

Step3

• Open your default web browser.
• On the address bar enter the router's IP address and press Enter.
• Sign-in with your router credentials.
• Find the Port Forwarding section.
• Create a new port forwarding that includes the following information:
• Service name: You can use any name. For example, FTP-Server.
• Port range: You must use port 21.
• PC's TCP/IP address: Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and the IPv4 address is your PC's TCP/IP address.
• Local TCP/IP port: You must use port 21.
• Protocol: TCP.

Step4

• Apply the new changes, and save the new router configurations.

How to access an FTP server from any PC

• Open your default web browser and in the address bar type your PC IP address, on an FTP link format, and press Enter.
• The address should look like this: FTP://192.168.1.126 see below image.

How to upload files to an FTP server on Windows

• Keep in mind that the method shown above is only useful to test, browse, and download files from an FTP site.
• You have to use the following instructions to be able to browse, download and upload files.
• Use the Windows key + E keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer.
• On the address bar type your public IP address on an FTP format. For example, FTP://183.82.97.61.
• Enter your username and password.
• Check the Save password option.
• Click Log On.