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Install an FTP Server on Windows

Add the IIS FTP role on Windows Server 2019, or the FTP feature on Windows 10, and create an FTP site.

Windows Hosting3 min read21 steps9 screenshots

What FTP is

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) moves files between a client and a server. A user logs in to the server (some servers allow anonymous access), and then can upload, download, delete, rename and move files.

FTP has two modes:

  1. Active mode. The client opens a command channel, and the server opens the data channel back to the client.
  2. Passive mode. The server tells the client which port to use, and the client opens all connections. It works better through firewalls and routers.
Note: Plain FTP does not encrypt data or passwords. Use FTP over TLS (FTPS) or SFTP when you can.

Install on Windows Server 2019

  1. Press Win + R, type ServerManager and press Enter.
    Opening Server Manager
  2. Click Add roles and features in the dashboard.
  3. Read the first page of the wizard and click Next.
  4. Choose Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
    Choosing the installation type
  5. Choose Select a server from the server pool and pick the server on which you want to install FTP. Normally it is the server you are on. Click Next.
  6. Under Server Roles, tick Web Server (IIS). Expand it and tick FTP Server, which includes FTP Service and FTP Extensibility. Click Next.
  7. Review the choices on the Confirmation page and click Install.
  8. When it finishes, close the wizard.

Install on Windows 10

  1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
    Opening Programs and Features
  2. Click Turn Windows features on or off on the left.
    Programs and Features
  3. Tick Internet Information Services, then expand it and tick FTP Server (with FTP Service) and IIS Management Console. Click OK.
    Windows Features
  4. Restart the computer if Windows asks.

Add an FTP site in IIS

  1. Open Control Panel, then Administrative Tools, and start Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
    The Windows Control Panel
    Administrative Tools
  2. Right-click Sites and choose Add FTP Site.
    Adding the FTP site
  3. Enter a name for the site and the physical path of the folder to share. Click Next.
    The FTP site information
  4. Set the IP address and the port (21). Choose No SSL for a test only, or Require SSL (recommended) and choose a certificate. Click Next.
  5. Set the authentication (Basic) and the authorization: choose which users may access the site, and give them Read and/or Write rights. Click Finish.
  6. Allow FTP in Windows Firewall. Open Windows Defender Firewall, then Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall, and tick FTP Server.
  7. Test with an FTP client such as FileZilla.

Quick recap

  • Install the FTP Server role (Server) or feature (Windows 10).
  • Add an FTP site in IIS Manager.
  • Allow FTP in the firewall, and use SSL when you can.