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WinSCP is one of the most popular SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) clients for Windows. Free, open source, and easy to use, it is an essential tool for anyone working with remote servers, especially developers, system administrators, and webmasters.
What is WinSCP
WinSCP (Windows Secure Copy) is software that allows you to securely transfer files between a local computer and a remote server. It uses several communication protocols, including:
- SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)
- SCP (Secure Copy Protocol)
- FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
- FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS)
- WebDAV
The program combines strong data protection (thanks to SSH encryption) with an intuitive user interface, similar to Windows Explorer.
What is WinSCP used for?
WinSCP is mainly used for:
- Transferring files to and from remote servers
- Editing files directly on the server using an editor Integrated
- Synchronize directories between local machine and server
- Automate transfer operations via scripts or command-line interface
- Manage remote file permissions
It is especially useful for:
- Upload website files to hosting servers
- Make backups from remote servers
- Administer Linux/Unix servers from a Windows machine
How WinSCP Works
1. Installation
To start using WinSCP, simply download the program from the official website https://winscp.net and install it on your Windows computer, or use the portable version, which doesn't require installation and can be run as soon as the download is complete.
During the initial setup, you can choose between two interfaces: the Windows Explorer-like one (more intuitive) or the Norton Commander-style one (more efficient for expert users).
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| Norton Commander UI - source https://winscp.net/eng/docs/screenshots |
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| Windows Explorer UI - source https://winscp.net/eng/docs/screenshots |
2. Connecting to a remote server
To connect to a remote server, you need to know:
- Hostname or IP address of the server
- Username and password (or SSH key, if using SFTP)
- Type of protocol to use (e.g., SFTP, FTP, etc.)
This data They should be inserted in the main window when creating a new session. Once saved, the session can be easily reused.
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3. File Transfer
After connecting, WinSCP displays two panels:
- On the left: files and folders on your computer
- On the right: files and folders on the remote server
Transfer is done simply by drag-and-drop files from one panel to the other. You can also create, rename, or delete files and folders directly on the server.
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4. Editing and Synchronization
WinSCP includes a integrated text editor, useful for editing configuration files or scripts directly on the server. It also allows you to synchronize directories, comparing and updating only modified files.
5. Automation
For advanced users, WinSCP offers:
- Batch scripts to automate recurring tasks
- Command line interface
- PowerShell integration
Example script to automatically upload a file:
winscp.com /command "open sftp://user@host" "put file.txt /home/user/" "exit"Conclusions
WinSCP is a powerful, secure, and versatile tool for remote file management. Whether you're managing a small website or a complex infrastructure, WinSCP simplifies and secures data transfer operations, all with a very low learning curve.
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