{"id":3743,"date":"2023-11-21T14:22:25","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T06:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/?post_type=kb&p=3743"},"modified":"2026-03-16T12:06:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T04:06:56","slug":"using-winscp-secure-file-transfers","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/kb\/using-winscp-secure-file-transfers","title":{"rendered":"Using WinSCP: 7 Essential Steps for Secure File Transfers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"<\/p>\n

Using WinSCP is a free, open-source SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and WebDAV client for Windows. It allows users to securely transfer files between their local computer and a remote server.<\/p>\n

Downloading and Installing WinSCP<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Download WinSCP from the official website: https:\/\/winscp.net\/eng\/download.php#download2<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Choosing a File Protocol<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    The choice of file protocol depends on your specific needs. Here is a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each protocol:<\/p>\n

    SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Advantages: Encrypted connection established via the SSH port, eliminating the need for an FTP server.<\/li>\n
    • Disadvantages: Slower data transmission due to encryption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      FTP (File Transfer Protocol)<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Advantages: Faster data transmission compared to SFTP due to the absence of encryption.<\/li>\n
      • Disadvantages: Unencrypted connection requiring an FTP server installation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        SCP (Secure Copy)<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Advantages: Encrypted connection like SFTP, using the SSH port.<\/li>\n
        • Disadvantages: Slower data transmission due to encryption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning)<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Advantages: Connection established over the HTTP port, which is typically not blocked by firewalls.<\/li>\n
          • Disadvantages: Unencrypted connection, but encryption can be achieved using SSL.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Connection Parameters<\/strong><\/h4>\n

            Host Name:<\/strong> Either the IP address of your server or the domain name corresponding to the IP address.<\/p>\n

            Port Number:<\/strong> Depends on the chosen file protocol. Standard ports are listed below:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Standard SFTP Port: 22<\/li>\n
            • Standard FTP Port: 20 and 21<\/li>\n
            • Standard SCP Port: 22<\/li>\n
            • Standard WebDAV Port: 80<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Note:<\/strong> SFTP and FTP use the default SSH port number 22. If this port has been changed, use the configured custom port number to connect.<\/p>\n

              User Name:<\/strong> The user with permission to connect to your server. For example, “root”.<\/p>\n

              Caution:<\/strong> The “root” user has full permissions on the server. Altering or deleting critical system data may render the operating system unbootable.<\/p>\n

              Establishing a Connection<\/strong><\/h4>\n

              To establish a connection with your server using WinSCP, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. Enter the host name (IP address or domain name) of your server.
                \n\"WinSCP1ENG\"<\/li>\n
              2. Enter the port number for the selected file protocol.<\/li>\n
              3. Enter the user name for the account that has permissions to connect to your server.<\/li>\n
              4. Enter the password for the user account.<\/li>\n
              5. Click the “Login” button.
                \n\"WinSCP2ENG\"<\/li>\n
              6. \n

                Accept the security warning.
                \n\"WinSCP3ENG\"<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              7. \n

                Once the security warning is accepted, you will be successfully connected to your server via the SFTP file protocol.
                \n\"WinSCP4ENG\"<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              8. \n

                The left-hand side of the window displays your local computer, while the right-hand side displays your remotely connected server.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Transferring Files<\/strong><\/h4>\n

                To transfer a single file or a folder, simply drag and drop it from your local computer (left-hand side) to your server (right-hand side). This copies the file to the server, making it available on both the local computer and the remote server.
                \n\"WinSCP7ENG\"<\/p>\n

                Connecting with an SSH Key<\/strong><\/h4>\n

                If you want to connect to your server using an SSH key, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Click the “Advanced…” button.
                  \n\"WinSCP6ENG\"<\/li>\n
                2. Go to the “Authentication” menu point.<\/li>\n
                3. Specify your private key file.<\/li>\n
                4. Click the “OK” button.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  Closing the Connection<\/strong><\/h4>\n

                  To close the connection to your server,<\/span> click the “Close” button in the WinSCP window.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Conclusion<\/strong><\/h4>\n

                  WinSCP is a powerful and versatile tool for transferring data between computers. It supports multiple file protocols, is easy to use, and offers secure connections.<\/p>\n

                   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  Using WinSCP is a free, open-source SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and WebDAV client for Windows. It allows users to securely transfer files between their local computer and a remote server. Downloading and Installing WinSCP Download WinSCP from the official website: https:\/\/winscp.net\/eng\/download.php#download2 Choosing a File Protocol The choice of file protocol depends on your specific needs.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"kbtopic":[1099],"kbtag":[1184],"class_list":["post-3743","kb","type-kb","status-publish","hentry","kbtopic-tutorials","kbtag-winscp"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kb\/3743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3743"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kb\/3743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6290,"href":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kb\/3743\/revisions\/6290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"kbtopic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kbtopic?post=3743"},{"taxonomy":"kbtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.servergigabit.com\/guide\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kbtag?post=3743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}