How can I access an FTP server to transfer files?
What Is FTP?
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used to communicate and transfer files between computers on a network, aka the internet. Users, who have been granted access, can receive and transfer files in the File Transfer Protocol server (also known as FTP host/site).
The easiest way to access an FTP server is to request IT to install a client application on your company-owned device. Or, if using your personal computer where you will have the ability to install software without IT - we recommend and deploy FileZilla. You can download this software for free from these links to the official site (Windows) / (Mac)
Optionally, and not requiring IT to intervene to install software; is to use the Windows file explorer to connect and transfer the files in a manner similar to connecting to a file server. That Process is explained below for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Windows:
FTP through Windows Explorer is only recommended for small file transfers. For larger data transfers, we recommend using an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla)
- Open Windows search and type File Explorer
- In the resulting window enter the path to the ftp server you are connecting to as follows ftp://(address of ftp server) example: ftp://ftp.website.com then enter to execute.
- if you were provided with a username and password uncheck the log in anonymously box and enter the username you were provided. Click Log On.
- If Successful you should be presented with a listing of the directories and files that you have access to. Depending on your login's permissions; you can now download and upload files as if you were connected to a local fileserver.