How to install and Configure FTP on Windows server

To install and configure an FTP server on a Windows Server system, you can use the built-in IIS (Internet Information Services) FTP server, which is included with Windows Server. Below are the steps to set up and configure FTP on your Windows Server.

Install the FTP Server Feature

1. Open Server Manager:
  • Press Windows + R, type server manager, and press Enter.
2. Add Roles and Features:
  • In Server Manager, click on Manage in the top-right corner and select Add Roles and Features.
  • Click Next.
  • Select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
  • Select the server where you want to install FTP, and click Next.
  • On the Roles page, expand Web Server (IIS).
Select the server where you want to install FTP, and click Next.
  • FTP Server (this is the FTP component).
  • FTP Service.
  • FTP Extensibility (optional, for more advanced FTP features).
  • Click Next.
  • Review the selections and click Install.

Wait until the installation is complete.

3. Restart your server for the changes to take place.

Create User Group For FTP on Windows Server

This group of users will be allowed to access FTP server later. To create user group, kindly follow these steps.

  • Open Computer Management
  • Locate to System Tools > Local User and Groups> Groups, right-click on the space and choose “New Group”
  • Change group name to “FTP-Access” and Click Add
  • Fill in “Administrator” and Click “Check Names”
  • Click OK
  • Click Create
  • The user group “FTP-Access” for Administrator has been created.

 Configuration at IIS for FTP on Windows Server

We assume you have enabled/installed IIS Services and FTP Server. Now we have to configure the FTP account for read and write permissions. Let get started!

On your Windows Server > Search Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.

  • Navigate to Sites > Right-click > Click on Add FTP Site.
  • Enter the name for FTP > Click 3 dot next to Physical path > Select Local Disk (C): > Make a New Folder and configure the directory access > Click on Next.
  • Enter the folder name > Click OK
  • Enter your Server IP, Select NO SSL & Click Next.
  • In the Authentication step, select the Basic authentication type and make sure to deselect Anonymous. Now, select the users to whom you want to grant the FTP permission. We will give FTP access to Specified roles or user groups. In Permission, make sure to select Read and Write both options (depending on your demand) >Click on Finish.
  • After configuring all the settings, it will look like this.

Configure Firewall for FTP on Windows Server

For an external connection to the ftp server, you must configure the firewall.

  • For an external connection to the ftp server, you must configure the firewall.
  • In the vertical menu on the left, select Inbound rules, then in the vertical menu on the right New Rule.
  • In the window that opens, check the Predefined type and select FTP Server from the drop-down list. Click Next.
  • Tick all the Box and click Next.
  • Select Allow the connection and click Finish. For these rules to take effect & restart the server.

Download FTP client on your client computer

After configuring your server, you can download FTP client on your client computer (on your local computer) so you can start using it. There are several FTP client software’s, in this demonstration, we will choose FileZilla Client for Windows.

  • Fill in your IP address, username, password and Port 21. In this demonstration, I will use my test server IP 94.198.**.**
  • You will be able to connect to your FTP server for file sharing, download or upload files.

Conclusion

To install and configure an FTP server on Windows Server:

To set up an FTP server on Windows Server, first, you need to add the FTP Server feature using IIS Manager. After that, set up your FTP site and adjust the authentication and authorization settings. Don’t forget to let FTP traffic through the Windows Firewall so it can communicate well. Once everything is done, test the FTP server from a client machine to make sure it works. If needed, add some security steps to keep the server safe.