For the writing of this article I used Windows XP Professional SP2.

I recently got sick of using an FTP program every time I wanted to upload files to my site. So I searched around for solutions (thinking I could ftp via some hidden Windows program) until I found out that you can FTP via Windows Explorer. Not Internet Explorer, but Windows Explorer.

Connecting

To start your connection, open up My Documents (or any folder on Windows you want). In the address bar, type in the ftp address to your site (Example- ftp.sitename.net). After a few seconds, a box will pop up telling you that you cannot connect. Close the box and right click inside of the folder you were just trying to connect through. Select “Login As” and type in your log in information. Click connect and -poof- you’re connected to your site via ftp via windows explorer.

Make Future Connecting Easy

Close out that window (or keep it open if you’d like) and open up your start menu. On the right side of the menu, under My Computer should be My Network Places; click that. On the left, click “Add a Network Place” . Go through the wizard until you can choose between MSN Communities and Choose Another Network Connection. Select the latter and click next. Now type in your ftp address and hit next one more time (make sure to type ftp:// before your ftp address). Unclick Login Anonymously and type in your login name. Name the connection and hit finish. You will now be able to instantly connect to your site via My Network Places. For extra ease, place a shortcut to the connection on your desktop or quick launch bar.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm and is filed under How To, Internet, Technology, Windows. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.