WinSCP

Downloading and Installing WinSCP

The WinSCP FTP client can be downloaded from the WinSCP website.

If you've installed programs on Windows before, there will be no surprises when you install WinSCP.

Installation:

1. Click the Installation package to download the installation files to your default download directory.

2. Double-click the downloaded file to open the installation package.

3. Select install mode - Install for all users (recommended).

4. Accept the license agreement.

5. Select Typical installation (recommended) and click Next.

6. Select Commander (User interface style) and click Next.

7. Click Install.

8. Click the Finish button at the end of the installation and WinSCP will launch automatically.

Connecting and Transferring Files with WinSCP

WinSCP has made it simple to connect to your FTP server. To get started, you need only to master two things:

• The Site Manager
• The File Manager

The Site Manager

The Site Manager window appears when you first open WinSCP.

You'll need to add connection information to the Site Manager to connect to your FTP server:

• The protocol you want to use to connect. ExaVault supports both FTP and SFTP connections. ExaVault does not support SCP or WebDav connections.
• Your ExaVault FTP server (host) name.
• Port number will change depending on the protocol that you choose, port 21 for FTP and port 22 for SFTP.
• Add your User name.
• Add your Password.

Here is what the connection to your ExaVault account might look like:

• Protocol: SFTP
• Address: bobsmith.exavault.com
• Username: bobsmith
• Password: * (be careful about handing these out!)
• Port: 22

When you are all done, you can either click the Save button to save the connection information for future connections or click Login to get connected immediately to your server.

Confirming Your Host Key

When you first connect to your FTP server, WinSCP will prompt you to accept the provided host key. Accept this key by clicking the Yes button to confirm to WinSCP that the connection is expected and add the key to the list of known hosts.

Disconnecting

You disconnect from your FTP server by selecting Disconnect from the Session menu. WinSCP will also disconnect your session if you close the application.

The File Manager

The File Manager is what transfers files. Like most FTP clients, the layout of the File Manager window in WinSCP has two sections:

• Local List
• Remote List

Local List

The Local List is on the left-hand side of the screen.

• This is a view of the files on your computer.
• The current directory is shown in the title bar just above the files and folders in that directory.

Remote List

The Remote List is on the right-hand side of the screen.

• This is a view of the files on your FTP server.
• The current directory is shown in the title bar just above the files and folders in that directory.

Transferring Files

Transferring files is easy: just drag them from one side of the window to the other.

Uploading

To upload files:

1. Select the file(s) that you want to upload to the local list.

2. Drag them to the remote list or right-click on the file(s) then select upload.

Downloading

To download files:

1. Select the file(s) that you want to download in the remote list.

2. Drag them to the local list or right-click on the file(s) then select download.

WinSCP Special Features

WinSCP includes some extra utilities that can assist in managing your files.

Advanced Filters

WinSCP allows you to set filters to hide files and/or directories that you don't need to review regularly.

To apply filters:

1. Click the filter icon button for either the local or remote connection.

2. Write out the mask that should be applied or click the Edit button to open the advanced filtering options.

3. Add filters for files and/or directories.

4. Click the OK button when all filters are set.

WinSCP supports filters for both including and excluding files and directories from the display.

Folder Synchronization

WinSCP includes a tool that allows you to synchronize the files between folders on two separate systems. Using this tool, you can quickly update and match up files between your local computer and your ExaVault account.

To synchronize files:

1. Navigate and open the folder you want to synchronize on the left-hand panel of the file manager.

2. Navigate and open the folder you want to synchronize on the right-hand panel of the file manager.

3. Click the Synchronize button to bring up the Synchronize Options screen.

4. Verify the Local and Remote directory selections

5. Select the options you want to use in your synchronization.

6. Click the OK button to complete the sync process.

Automating File Transfers

WinSCP offers a scripting interface that you can use to automate many operations that it supports, including file transfers, synchronization and other operations

For more information on automating file transfers using WinSCP, visit the WinSCP Guide to Scripting/Automation.

Supported Connection Types

WinSCP supports the following protocols for connecting to your ExaVault account:

• SFTP
• FTP

ExaVault does not support the following connection protocols:

• SCP
• WebDav