FileZilla Server – Local FTP Server setup on Windows machine

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,

  1. one FileZilla server for setting up to host FTP server and
  2. another is FileZilla client to access any FTP server from Windows machine

Here, we are downloading the FileZilla server for Windows machine

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Step 6: Finally “Install

Click Install

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Step 7: Installation is in progress

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Step 8: Installation is complete

Click Close

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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

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FileZilla server main screen opens up as below; error is due to router configuration in my local windows machine

10_FileZilla_Server_Local_FTP_Server_setup_on_Windows_7_machine_FileZilla_Server_Interface_a

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

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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

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Users

Step 2.c: Edit Menu –> Users

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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:

References:

Happy Coding !!
Happy Learning !!

FileZilla Client - To access FTP Server on Windows machine