IT Support Notes

If you have a need to connect to an FTP site and do not have FTP software don’t worry,you can use Internet Explorer. You can use MS Internet Explorer to connect to FTP servers to download or upload files or other information. Here’s How…

Anonymous FTP Logins with Internet Explorer

Many companies or websites with an FTP server allow anonymous logins. In most cases you will be allowed to download files that are meant for the public such as documentation, software patches and updates. Anonymous logins tend to be easier since the user doesn’t need to provide their username and password.

For most anonymous logins, the process is the same regardless of browser. You simply type

ftp://ftp.server_name.com in your browser’s address bar. For example, ftp://ftp.hp.com  After you press the Enter key or click go your browser will display a list of available folders for your use rather than a web page. It will look similar to Windows Explorer. Many sites that allow anonymous access start you at a “pub” or “public” folder. As with file explorer, you can click a folder to see its contents. 

FTP Servers Requiring Username and Password
 Other companies offer FTP access, but may require you to authenticate or login by providing a username and password. This type of FTP server access is usually for files which aren’t for public distribution, but for specific purposes. For Example. Your employer may want to to have access to an employee handbook via FTP. Company employees will have access to the handbook but non-employees will not because they do not have a Username and Password.

When it comes to using a browser for FTP access, I find it easy to use Microsoft Internet Explorer. I’ve found IE to be more reliable when it comes to using a FTP site that requires authentication.

Connecting to a FTP server using a Username and Password with Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer

2. In the address bar, type the ftp address such as ftp://ftp.domain.com

3. Dismiss any error dialogs if needed.

4. From the File menu, select Login As …

5. In the Log On As dialog, type your username and password .

6. Click Log On .

OR

You can simply type the username and password with the ftp server URL

ftp://username:password@ftp.domain.com

Once You Have Connected To The FTP Server

You can simply browse the files on the FTP server and until you find what you need. Once you have found the software patch or other files just right click on the file then click copy.

After clicking copy use the My Computer Icon on your desktop to browse your Hard Drive. Browse to where you want to save the file you have copied. Once you decide on a location just right click on the folder and click paste. Internet Explorer will start coping the file from the FTP server to your computer.

While Internet Explorer was not designed to be an FTP client to access FTP sites it will certainly connect and allow you to upload or down load files.

Note: The above article has not been tested with internet explorer 7