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Windows includes a built-in FTP command-line client named ftp.exe. It is available in Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, and Windows Server 2025, so you can connect to a traditional FTP server without installing a third-party application.
This method is appropriate for basic file transfers and troubleshooting. It is not a replacement for SFTP or an FTP client that supports encrypted FTP over TLS. Standard FTP can expose usernames, passwords, filenames, and file contents in transit, so use it only with servers and networks where that risk is acceptable.
Before you connect
You need the server name or address, a username and password if anonymous access is not enabled, and the correct remote folder. A server may be identified by a computer name, IPv4 address, or IPv6 address.
Windows also needs TCP/IP installed as a component of the network adapter in Network Connections. If the adapter is disabled, disconnected, or has no working TCP/IP configuration, ftp.exe cannot establish the connection. IPv6 connections are supported when IPv6 is installed.
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Open Command Prompt by pressing Win+R, entering cmd, and pressing Enter. PowerShell can also launch ftp.exe, but the examples below use Command Prompt syntax.
Connect to an FTP server
The basic command is:
ftp <host>For example:
ftp ftp.example.comThe host must be the final parameter on the command line. You can use an IPv4 address:
ftp 203.0.113.25Or an IPv6 address:
ftp 2001:db8::25After the connection is made, Windows enters its FTP sub-environment and displays:
ftp >If the server requests credentials, enter the username and password at the prompts. The password is not displayed while you type it. Whether anonymous access works depends on the server configuration.
Useful connection options
| Command | Use |
|---|---|
ftp -n <host> |
Connect without automatic login. This is useful when you want to control when the user command is sent. |
ftp -A <host> |
Log on as anonymous. The server must permit anonymous FTP access. |
ftp -d <host> |
Display the commands exchanged between the client and server for troubleshooting. |
ftp -a <host> |
Allow any local network interface to be used when binding the FTP data connection. This can matter on computers with multiple interfaces. |
Options are case-sensitive and use a hyphen, not a slash. For example, -A and -a have different meanings.
Navigate and transfer files
At the ftp > prompt, use FTP commands rather than normal Command Prompt commands. A typical session looks like this:
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ftp > user alice
ftp > cd uploads
ftp > lcd C:UsersAliceDownloads
ftp > binary
ftp > put report.zip
ftp > get response.pdf
ftp > quitThese are the commands you will use most often:
| Command | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
user |
Supply or change the login credentials. | user alice |
pwd |
Show the current remote directory. | pwd |
dir |
Display a detailed remote directory listing. | dir |
ls |
Display a shorter remote listing on servers that support it. | ls |
cd |
Change the remote directory. | cd reports |
lcd |
Change the local Windows directory. | lcd C:Temp |
get |
Download one remote file. | get archive.zip |
put |
Upload one local file. | put image.iso |
mget |
Download multiple files. | mget *.pdf |
mput |
Upload multiple local files. | mput *.csv |
delete |
Delete a remote file, if the account has permission. | delete old.txt |
mkdir |
Create a remote directory, if permitted. | mkdir backups |
quit |
Close the FTP session and return to Command Prompt. | quit |
Use lcd before a download to choose where Windows saves the file. For example:
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ftp > get manual.pdfUse lcd before an upload to select the local source directory:
ftp > lcd C:WorkExports
ftp > put data.csvChoose the transfer mode
For most non-text files, select binary mode before transferring:
ftp > binaryBinary mode is the safer choice for archives, images, installers, PDFs, videos, and database files because it transfers the bytes without text conversion. The client also has an ascii command for text transfers. If a server or legacy workflow specifically requires text-mode conversion, use:
ftp > asciiWhen in doubt, use binary.
Transfer several files
Wildcards can be used with commands such as mget and mput:
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ftp > mput *.csvBy default, the client may ask for confirmation for each file in a multiple-file transfer. Start the client with -i to disable interactive prompting:
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ftp -i ftp.example.comThe -g option disables filename globbing. Without -g, * and ? are treated as wildcard characters in local filenames and paths. Do not add -g if you intend to use wildcards for a transfer.
Run FTP commands from a script
ftp.exe supports batch operation with a command file:
ftp -s:commands.txt ftp.example.comThere must be no space between -s: and the filename. A simple commands.txt file could contain:
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binary
lcd C:WorkExports
cd incoming
put daily-report.csv
quitRun it from the directory containing the file, or specify a complete path:
ftp -s:C:Scriptsupload.txt ftp.example.comOn Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 or later, the file supplied to -s: must be saved as UTF-8. If the file was created with another encoding, ftp.exe may parse it incorrectly or fail to behave as expected. In Notepad, choose Save As and select UTF-8 where that encoding option is available.
Microsoft recommends the -s: option instead of using input redirection with the < character.
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Troubleshoot a failed connection
- Check the host. Try the server name again, or use its IP address. A spelling error or DNS problem can prevent the initial connection.
- Check the network adapter. In Windows, open Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections and verify that the relevant adapter is enabled and has TCP/IP installed.
- Use protocol debugging. Start a new session with
-d:
ftp -d ftp.example.comThis displays the commands exchanged by the client and server, which can reveal whether the failure occurs during connection, authentication, directory navigation, or transfer.
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- Confirm the server type.
ftp.exeis the classic FTP client. It does not mean that Windows supports SFTP, and it should not be assumed to negotiate FTPS/TLS with a server that requires encrypted FTP. An SFTP server requires an SSH-capable client; an FTP-over-TLS-only server requires a client that supports that protocol. - Check permissions and paths. A successful login does not guarantee access to every directory. The server may reject
cd,put,delete, ormkdirbecause of account permissions. - Check passive/active transfer compatibility. FTP uses a separate data connection for listings and file transfers. A firewall, NAT device, or server policy can allow login but block
dir,get, orput. The built-in client has fewer configuration controls than a full FTP application, so an administrator may need to adjust the server or network firewall.
Full command-line syntax
The current syntax is:
ftp [-v] [-d] [-i] [-n] [-g] [-s:<filename>] [-a] [-A] [-x:<sendbuffer>] [-r:<recvbuffer>] [-b:<asyncbuffers>] [-w:<windowsize>] [<host>] [-?]The buffer options are normally unnecessary, but they are available for specialized transfer tuning:
| Option | Documented default |
|---|---|
-x:<sendbuffer> |
8,192 bytes |
-r:<recvbuffer> |
8,192 bytes |
-b:<asyncbuffers> |
3 buffers |
-w:<windowsize> |
65,535 bytes |
Other options include -v to suppress verbose server responses and -? to display help. Parameters are case-sensitive.
What not to use
Older guides often tell Windows users to open an FTP address in Internet Explorer or add an FTP location through a graphical Windows workflow. Internet Explorer 11’s desktop application is retired, out of support, and has been permanently disabled through Edge updates on certain Windows 10 versions. Those instructions are not a dependable current solution.
For a command-line connection, use ftp.exe. For encrypted transfers, automation with stronger authentication, saved profiles, or a graphical file manager, choose software that explicitly supports the server’s required protocol rather than assuming that every FTP-compatible tool supports SFTP or FTPS.
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Is FTP built into Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes. Microsoft documents the built-in ftp.exe client for Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as several Windows Server releases. Open Command Prompt and run ftp <host>.
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How do I connect without logging in automatically?
Run ftp -n ftp.example.com. After the ftp > prompt appears, use user to provide the account credentials.
How do I download a file with Windows FTP?
Connect to the server, use lcd to select the local destination, then run get filename. For example: lcd C:Temp, followed by get report.pdf.
Can Windows ftp.exe connect to SFTP or FTPS?
Do not assume so. SFTP is based on SSH, while FTPS uses TLS. Microsoft’s documentation describes the classic FTP client and does not establish support for SFTP or every FTPS configuration. Use a client that explicitly supports the protocol required by the server.
Why does ftp.exe connect but fail when I run dir or get?
FTP uses a separate data connection for directory listings and transfers. A firewall, NAT device, or server policy may permit the login connection but block the data connection. Run ftp -d <host> for protocol details and check the server and network firewall settings.
How do I exit the Windows FTP client?
At the ftp > prompt, enter quit. This closes the FTP session and returns you to the normal Command Prompt.
The Bottom Line
For a basic, traditional FTP connection, Windows already has what you need: open Command Prompt, run ftp <host>, authenticate, navigate with cd and lcd, and transfer files with get or put. Use -s: for UTF-8 batch files and -d when diagnosing a failed session. Do not confuse this legacy FTP client with an SFTP or FTPS client, and avoid sending ordinary FTP credentials over untrusted networks.
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