Using FTP : Quick Tips Introduction FTP (File Transfer Protocol): a tool for copying files and folders from one computer to another over the Internet. Many tools (called FTP clients) are available for doing FTP. This document demonstrates how to do FTP using software that comes with every Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8 PC. The software discussed in this Quick Tips guide is "Microsoft Windows Explorer." This document is written to be generic. You should be able to use these steps any time you need to log into an FTP server. However, the examples will use the City of Richmond FTP server. For the purposes of this document, the "FTP server" is the remote computer with which you will be copying files.

Summary of What You Will Be Doing

It is really simple once you have done it once. You will: 1) Connect to the FTP server 2) Log into the FTP server 3) Copy the files

Written by:

Frank Doss and Lyle Gleason May 23, 2013 Department of Information Technology City of Richmond Richmond, Virginia

This document contains many references to Microsoft products. The images and trademarks of those products are all the property of Microsoft Corporation. This document is Copyright (c) 2013, City of Richmond, Virginia You may copy and distribute this document as you wish, so long as you do so free of charge. Using FTP : Quick Tips

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To connect to the FTP server The process is almost identical for Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8. The buttons look a little different. Some of the text is a little different, but it is all essentially the same.

STEP 1) For Windows XP, click the start button: For Windows 7, click the start button: For Windows 8, click the "Desktop" icon:

STEP 2 For Windows 8) Click "File Exporer" at the bottom of the window that opens. Click on the left side of the next window that opens. STEP 2 For Windows XP and Windows 7) For Windows XP, in the window that opens, Click For Windows 7, in the window that opens, Click

Using FTP : Quick Tips

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STEP 3. Connect to the FTP server) For Windows XP, in the window that opens, Click For Windows 7, in the window that opens, Click For Windows 8, in the window that opens, Click the address icon top.

on the left side of the line at the

The screens may look a little different but should be essentially the same:

On the left side of the address line at the top of the next My Computer window that opens. Replace the highlighted words in that box with the the FTP server name: ftp://ftp.ci.richmond.va.us The ftp:// part at the beginning is important! Press “Enter.”

STEP 4. Logging in)

Note that the text "The large white box on the right" will not be in the box!

Using FTP : Quick Tips

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Step 4 continued) Wait for a connection to open to the ftp server. The files and folders on the FTP server will show in the large white box on the right Right Mouse Click in the large white box on the right. Make sure you do NOT Right Mouse Click on any of the icons or folders!! This selection box should open

Click the words “Login As…” in the selection box

A login box should open:

Type the login name (user name) you have been given for this FTP server in the User name box. Type the password you have been given in the Password: box. Click the “Log On” button. The login box will close. The files and folders you saw in the large white box on the right will go away and be replaced with the files and folders belonging to your login name (if there are any). If you do not have any files or folders, the large white box on the right will be empty.

Using FTP : Quick Tips

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You are now logged into the FTP server. You can now copy files (also called "transfer files" to and from the server.

To copy files (transfer files) to the FTP server from your PC Highlight the files and folders on your PC you wish to copy. Drag them to the large white box on the right. This works exactly as it does when you drag and drop files and folders on your PC.

To copy files (transfer files) from the FTP server to your PC Highlight the files and folders in the large white box that you wish to copy. Drag them to where you want them on your PC. Again, this works exactly as it does when you drag and drop files and folders on your PC.

Using FTP : Quick Tips

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