File Transfer Protocol. (Not Secure, for Secure FTP utilities see the links page.)
Syntax
FTP [options] [-s:filename] [-w:windowsize] [host]
Key
host The computer name, IP address, or IPv6 address of the remote FTP host.
If omitted then FTP will enter command-line mode, type quit to exit.
-a Use any local interface when binding data connection.
-A Log onto the ftp server as anonymous.
-d Debug.
-g Disable filename wildcards.
-i No interactive prompts during ftp.
-n No auto-login.
-s:filename Run a text file containing FTP commands.
-v Hide remote server responses.
-b:asyncbuffers Override the default async buffer count of 3.
-r:recvbuffer Override the default SO_RCVBUF size of 8192.
-x:sendbuffer Override the default SO_SNDBUF size of 8192.
-w:windowsize Set the transfer buffer size to windowsize (default=4096).
-? Help.
Commands to run at the FTP: prompt
append local-file [remote-file]
Append a local file to a file on the remote computer.
ascii Set the file transfer type to ASCII, the default.
In ASCII text mode, character-set and end-of-line
characters are converted as necessary.
bell Toggle a bell to ring after each command.
By default, the bell is off.
binary Set the file transfer type to binary.
Use `Binary' for transferring executable program
files or binary data files e.g. Oracle
bye End the FTP session and exit ftp
cd Change the working directory on the remote host.
close End the FTP session and return to the cmd prompt.
debug Toggle debugging. When debug is on, FTP will display
every command.
delete remote-file
Delete file on remote host.
dir [remote-directory] [local-file]
List a remote directory’s files and subdirectories.
(or save the listing to local-file)
disconnect Disconnect from the remote host, retaining the ftp prompt.
get remote-file [local-file]
Copy a remote file to the local PC.
glob Toggle the use of wildcard characters in local pathnames.
By default, globbing is on.
hash Toggle printing a hash (#) for each 2K data block transferred.
By default, hash mark printing is off.
help [command]
Display help for ftp command.
lcd [directory]
Change the working directory on the local PC.
By default, the working directory is the directory in which ftp was started.
literal argument [ ...]
Send arguments, as-is, to the remote FTP host.
ls [remote-directory] [local-file]
List a remote directory’s files and folders.
(short format)
mdelete remote-files [ ...]
Delete files on remote host.
mdir remote-files [ ...] local-file
Display a list of a remote directory’s files and subdirectories.
(or save the listing to local-file)
Mdir allows you to specify multiple files.
mget remote-files [ ...]
Copy multiple remote files to the local PC.
mkdir directory
Create a directory on the remote host.
mls remote-files [ ...] local-file
List a remote directory’s files and folders.
(short format)
mput local-files [ ...]
Copy multiple local files to the remote host.
open computer [port]
Connects to the specified FTP server.
prompt Toggle prompting. Ftp prompts during multiple file transfers to
allow you to selectively retrieve or store files;
mget and mput transfer all files if prompting is turned off.
By default, prompting is on.
put local-file [remote-file]
Copy a local file to the remote host.
pwd Print Working Directory
(current directory on the remote host)
quit End the FTP session with the remote host and exit ftp.
quote argument [ ...]
Send arguments, as-is, to the remote FTP host.
recv remote-file [local-file]
Copy a remote file to the local PC.
remotehelp [command]
Display help for remote commands.
rename filename newfilename
Rename remote files.
rmdir directory
Delete a remote directory.
send local-file [remote-file]
Copy a local file to the remote host.
status Display the current status of FTP connections and toggles.
trace Toggles packet tracing; trace displays the route of each packet
type [type-name]
Set or display the file transfer type:
`binary' or `ASCII' (the default)
If type-name is not specified, the current type is displayed.
ASCII should be used when transferring text files.
In ASCII text mode, character-set and end-of-line
characters are converted as necessary.
Use `Binary' for transferring executable files.
user user-name [password] [account]
Specifes a user to the remote host.
verbose Toggle verbose mode. By default, verbose is on.
! command Run command on the local PC.
? [command] Display help for ftp command.
Connect to the speedtest FTP server as 'anonymous' and with a null password:
C:\> ftp speedtest.tele2.net
User: anonymous
Password:
230 Login successful.
ftp>
An example FTP Script to retrieve files in binary and then ascii mode:
::GetFiles.ftp [User_id] [ftp_password]
binary get /usr/file1.exe get file2.html mget *.jpeg
ascii mget *.txt
quit
To run the above script:
FTP -s:GetFiles.ftp [hostname]
This will connect as the user:User_id with password:ftp_password
An FTP Script to publish files in binary mode:
::PutFiles.ftp [User_id] [ftp_password]
binary mput *.html cd images mput *.gif
quit
To run the above script:
FTP -s:PutFiles.ftp [hostname]
This will connect as the user:User_id with password:ftp_password
Windows Explorer also has a built in basic FTP client, suitable only for small files.
Enable it in the Control Panel ➞ Internet Options ➞ Advanced, then tick to enable FTP folder view and Use Passive FTPType in the address bar:
ftp://username@ftpserver.address.com
you will be prompted for the password if any.
e.g.
ftp://speedtest.tele2.netYou can also do
ftp://username:password@ftpserver.address.com
This is not recommended as the password will be visible in plain text.Or Start ➞ Computer ➞ Right click ➞ Add a network Location ➞ Custom ➞ enter the name of the FTP site.
Standard FTP does not encrypt passwords - they are sent across the network in plain text. A more secure method is to use SecureFTP (SFTP) or SecureCopy (SCP) Freeware clients are available e.g. WinSCP
“Only wimps use tape backup: _real_ men just upload their important stuff on ftp, and let the rest of the world mirror it” ~ Linus Torvalds
CURL - Transfer data from or to a server
COPY - Copy one or more files to another location.
XCOPY - Copy files and folders.
REM - Add a comment (includes commenting FTP scripts).
Q271078 - Microsoft FTP does not support passive mode (error 425).
RAW FTP - Full list of RAW FTP commands.
Equivalent bash command (Linux): FTP - File Transfer Protocol.