Connecting Through WinSCP

 

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Overview

WinSCP is a popular SFTP client since it is free and easy-to-use. However, WinSCP is only available for Windows machines.

In order to login with WinSCP, you will need:

• WinSCP installed on your computer.
• The public IP address of the server.
• The username you will log in as.
• An SSH private key or the password associated with the username.

When opening WinSCP, the site manager should pop up automatically. If not, go to Session > Sites > Site Manager. Then follow the instructions below.

SSH Key Login

1. Set File protocol to SFTP.
2. Fill in the Host name box with the IP address of the server.
3. Fill in the Username box with your username.
4. Leave the Password field blank.
5. Click on Advanced... > SSH > Authentication.
6. For the Private key file, change the file explorer file type drop-down to All Files (*.*), and open your private key file.
   1. If the private key file extension is not .ppk, WinSCP will ask to convert the key. Click OK and save the converted file next to the original file.

7. Close the Advanced Site Settings window and click Login.
8. If WinSCP warns you about connecting to an unknown server, press Yes.
   1. You can also press No at this window, however the warning will repeatedly bother you in the future.

9. If you get an Authentication Banner, press Continue.

10. If your SSH key is passphrase protected, you will be prompted for the passphrase.

GIF Demonstration

Password Login

1. Set File protocol to SFTP.
2. Fill in the Host name box with the IP address of the server.
3. Fill in the Username box with your username.
4. Fill in the Password box with your password.
5. Click Login.
6. If WinSCP warns you about connecting to an unknown server, press Yes.
   1. You can also press No at this window, however the warning will repeatedly bother you in the future.

7. If you get an Authentication Banner, press Continue.

GIF Demonstration

How to Use

• Navigate Folders: Click on the target folder in the folder view (top view).
• Uploading: Drag a folder or file from the local computer (left view) to the remote server (right view).
• Downloading: Drag a folder or file from the remote server (right view) to the local computer (left view).

More advanced options like creating a new directory can be done by right-clicking.

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