How to setup ftp server on xp windows

You could email, but that's slow and limited by the size of your mailbox. Create a website? Doesn't seem worth the effort, and besides what if you want to receive files as well as share them?

What if you want to make several directory's worth of your files available to yourself over the Internet while you are traveling? You could use remote desktop software, but that typically has anemic file transfer options and slow performance. What's the solution? Why FTP of course!

What is FTP? Once this is saved, FTP information will be able to pass through your firewall. For more information on firewalls and their configuration, see our Beginner's guide to firewalls and Internet security here.

Important topic. The problem with FTP is that, by default, it is an extremely insecure protocol. Usernames and passwords are not encrypted in any way when they are sent from the client to the server, and so are prime targets for anyone intercepting network packets between your server and your clients.

This is the reason that the Windows FTP server software recommends that you use only anonymous access for your FTP site, as the alternative is to use valid user accounts from your XP installation. If these credentials are intercepted, they could be used to severely compromise the security of your entire system, never mind your FTP site. Hence the recommended practice for home users is to allow anonymous access to the FTP site directory and simply not place sensitive files there.

We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article Steps. Tips and Warnings. Things You'll Need. Related Articles. Author Info Last Updated: September 16, Click OK and follow the instructions for the install Wizard or you can just push next if you don't feel like reading. Be prepared with your Windows XP CD, because it might prompt you for it if you haven't already installed it.

Once it is done, you might have to restart your computer after this. Public meaning that anyone who knows the IP address may download copies from it.

So how would you connect from another computer on the local network? Under the Network Connection Settings section, make sure all of the connections are checked in the left list and then click on the Settings button. A little popup window will appear with some settings that you can change, just leave it as it is and click OK. Click OK again at the main Windows Firewall window. In Windows 7 and higher, the process is different for opening the firewall port. You have now opened up the firewall for FTP connections.

Now try to connect to your FTP site from a different computer on your network. You should now be able to see all of your files just like you did on the FTP client that was on the local computer. In this way, when a user connects, they specify a path that will connect to one specific folder. In Windows 7, you right-click on the site name and choose Add Virtual Directory. Click Next and now browse to the path where you want the alias to refer to. So if you have a bunch of movies you want to share, browse to that folder.

Click Next and choose whether you want it as Read access only or Read and Write access. If you simply want to share files, check Read. If you want people to be able to upload files to your computer, choose Read and Write.