Install an FTP Server on Windows Server

FTP lets you move files between your computer and the server. On Windows Server, FTP is a role service of IIS (Internet Information Services).

Step 1: Install IIS and the FTP role

1. Click Start, type Server Manager and open it.
2. Click Manage > Add Roles and Features.
3. In the wizard:
   - Choose Role-based or feature-based installation.
   - On Server Roles tick Web Server (IIS). If it is already ticked, IIS is installed.
   - Make sure the IIS Management Console is selected.
   - Under Web Server Role (IIS) > Role Services tick FTP Server.
   - You may untick the other Web Server parts if you do not host websites.
4. Go to the end and click Install. Wait until it finishes.

Step 2: Create the FTP site

1. Open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager from Administrative Tools.
2. Click your server name in the left column.
3. Right-click Sites and choose Add FTP Site.
4. Site Information. Give the site a name, such as FTP Site, and choose the folder on the server that users will see.
5. Binding and SSL. Keep port 21. Choose Require SSL if you have a certificate, or No SSL for a test (not safe for real use).
6. Authentication and Authorization. Select Basic and deselect Anonymous. Choose which users may connect, and give Read and Write permission.
7. Click Finish.

Step 3: Open the firewall

Allow FTP in Windows Firewall:

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app.
2. Allow FTP Server.

If you use passive mode, also set a port range in FTP Firewall Support in IIS and open those ports. On a cloud server, also open them in the provider firewall.

Step 4: Connect

Use an FTP client such as FileZilla:

• Host: the server IP address.
• User: a Windows user that you allowed, such as Administrator.
• Password: that user's password.
• Port: 21.

Quick recap

• Install the FTP Server role service under IIS.
• Add an FTP site with Basic authentication.
• Open the firewall and connect with the server IP.