How to install and configure FTP server on Windows 2019

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a service that allows the transfer of files between a server and a client system over a TCP/IP network. The FTP protocol, usually running on port 21, allows a user to either upload or download files from an FTP server.

In this guide, you will learn how to install and configure an FTP server on Windows 2019.

Installing FTP server using Server Manager

Step 1: Click on ‘Add Roles and Features’

As with any Windows server system from 2012 and onwards, to add any feature using the GUI, you need to begin from the server manager. So, on the ‘Server Manager’ window, click on ‘Add roles and Features’.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Next’ tab

The next pre-flight check window reminds you to first set a strong Administrator account password and set a static IP, so click on the ‘Next’ button below to proceed with the installation process.

Step 3: Select the mode of installation

In the next window, you will be prompted to select the installation type.

Click on the ‘Role-based or feature-based’ option and click ‘Next’

Step 4: Select the Destination Server

In the next window, click on the server that you are installing the FTP on. Usually, this is the server that you currently working on. Enter the NetBIOS name, the IP address and the operating system type.

Select the server and click ‘Next’.

Step 5: Select the roles to be installed

Next, check off the ‘Web Server (IIS)’ option. When expanded, check off the ‘FTP Server’ option, which constitutes the FTP service and FTP extensibility. Then click ‘Next’.

Step 7: Select the roles to be installed

On the next Window, your selections will be confirmed. Click on ‘Install’ to start the installation.

The installation will then begin and after completion, click on the ‘Close’ button.

Installing an FTP server using Windows PowerShell

If you are a fan of running commands and prefer it to using the GUI wizard, Windows PowerShell can equally come in handy.

So, launch Windows PowerShell as an Administrator and execute the command below:

Install-WindowsFeature Web-FTP-Server -IncludeManagementTools

The output below will be displayed:

Success Restart Needed Exit Code Feature Result

——- ————– ——— ————–

True No Success {FTP Server, FTP Service, IIS Management

Configuring your FTP server

At this point, you have successfully installed your FTP server. The next step is to configure your server for the transmission of files.

On the ‘Server Manager’, click on ‘Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager’

On the next Window, click on your server system on the left sidebar. This reveals a pane at the center. Under ‘FTP’, click on ‘FTP firewall Support’.

Next, define a range of ports and click ‘Apply’.

Now go back and right-click on your Windows server and click on ‘Add FTP Site’. Then click ‘Next’.

Provide your preferred site name and specify the path to the FTP directory.

Next, define the bind-address settings. Type your server’s IP or Public IP address. For a start, you can select No SSL, but for future purposes, ensure to use SSL by clicking on ‘Allow SSL’.

Finally, select the authentication type as ‘Basic’ and also select ‘All users’ and assign read and write permissions.

The FTP site is now ready.

On the firewall settings, allow port 21, which by default is used by FTP.

And that’s how you install and configure an FTP server on a Windows 2019 Server!

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