In this article, we will walk through step-by-step to setup & host FTP server on Windows machine using free open source software called FileZilla
1. Installing FileZilla FTP Server
Step 1: Download open source FileZilla software from here
Note: There are two things,
- one FileZilla server for setting up to host FTP server and
- another is FileZilla client to access any FTP server from Windows machine
Here, we are downloading the FileZilla server for Windows machine
Step 2: Execute “FileZilla_Server-0_9_53.exe” setup file for FileZilla server
That is double-click on “FileZilla_Server-0_9_53.exe” setup file from download location
Click “I Agree” in the License Agreement and follow the wizard steps
Step 3: Choose components to be installed along with packages it offers
Click Next
Note: Leave the default values for demo purpose, otherwise we can fine tune for our requirements
Step 4: Browse location to be installed
Click Next
Note: Leave the default values for demo purpose; otherwise we can browse through the location depending on the space availability
Step 5: Select “Install as service, whenever Windows boots up” –> which is default option available from the drop-down
Click Next
Note: We can select other option like start “manually” depending upon our choice to start this service in Windows machine
Step 6: Finally “Install”
Click Install
Step 7: Installation is in progress
Step 8: Installation is complete
Click Close
Now FileZilla FTP server installation setup is complete. Next step is to host a FTP server
Let’s do it !!
2. Hosting FileZilla FTP Server (Configuring the server)
Step 1: Launch “FileZilla Server Interface” from Start Menu
Click OK to open FileZilla Server main screen
Note: Leave the default values for Server Address & Port until & unless you have changed these values while setting up FileZilla FTP Server
FileZilla server main screen opens up as below; error is due to router configuration in my local windows machine
Step 2: Next step is to create FTP server users, but before creating individual users –> create groups and then assign users to one of the groups
For demo purposes, we will create one group called “BRN” and a user called “SJ”
Then assign new user “SJ” to the newly created group “BRN”
Group –> BRN
User –> SJ
Password for SJ –> sj@123
Groups
Step 2.a: Edit Menu –> Groups
Step 2.b: Click General Page from left hand side menu
And then Click Add button under Groups –> add a new user group called “BRN” –> OK
Check whether new groups added or not under Groups list on the right hand side
Then finally click OK
Users
Step 2.c: Edit Menu –> Users
Step 2.d: Click Shared folders Page from left hand side menu
And then click Add button under Users –> add a new user account called “SJ” under BRN group –> OK
Check whether new users added or not under Users list on the right hand side
Then finally click OK
Step 2.e: Enable password for user account
By default, new users created with blank password, but we can enable Password for each & every users from Account settings
Click General Page from left hand side menu
And then click on the user from the Users list (to enable password option) –> Check tick box Password option from Account settings –> Enter desired password for the user
Then finally click OK
Step 3: Add Shared folders for FTP server
Click Shared folders Page from left hand side menu
And then click Add button under Shared folders –> Browse for Folder dialog box opens up –> select folder to be shared across FTP server –> OK
Check whether new directory is listed under “Shared folders” section (optionally you can provide Aliases for the folder selected)
Set newly added directory as home directory by clicking “Set as home dir” button –> this gives at least list permission to the users while accessing local/remote FTP server
Then finally click OK
Step 4: Grant more permission to users
By default, users get only read files, list directories and its subdirectories permission. So it’s important to grant more permission to users like writing, deleting or copying files and creating & deleting directories
To grant more permission to users, check tick boxes next to each options available under File section and Directories section
Finally click OK
That’s it; it’s time to move on to FTP client part to test\verify whether FTP server is accessible or not for remote access
To access remote FTP server, we will try out below two options
- via Windows command prompt (cmd)
- FileZilla client
In the next article, we will demonstrate how to access FTP server using above 2 options
Related Articles:
- FileZilla Server – Local FTP Server setup on Windows machine
- FileZilla Client – To access FTP Server on Windows machine
References:
Happy Coding !!
Happy Learning !!