WinSCP is a free, open-source client that supports SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, and SCP protocols. Its main purpose is to ensure secure file transfers between a local and a remote computer using SSH (Secure Shell).
In addition to secure transfers, WinSCP functions as a basic file manager. Users can easily rename files and folders, create new directories, and modify file properties.
The software offers two interface options, allowing seamless file management both locally and remotely. Most operations, including folder actions, can be performed recursively for efficiency.
WinSCP can also be integrated as a plugin for popular file managers such as FAR and Servant Salamander, providing enhanced functionality for users who prefer working within those environments.
WinSCP Features
- Integration with Windows (drag and drop, URL, shortcut icons)
- Graphical user interface
- Translated into several languages
- All frequent operations with files
- Support for SFTP and SCP protocols over SSH-1 and SSH-2
- Batch file scripting and command-line interface
- Directory synchronization in several semi-automatic methods
- Integrated text editor
- Support for SSH password, keyboard-interactive, public key, and Kerberos (GSS) authentication
- Integrates with Pageant (PuTTY authentication agent) for full support of public-key authentication
- Windows Explorer-like and Norton Commander-like interfaces.
- Optionally stores session information.
- Optionally supports standalone operation using a configuration file rather than registry entries, suitable for operation from removable media
Other essential features:
- FTPS (FTP over TLS/SSL) support.
- You can change the group or owner of a remote file using UID or GID.
- XML logging provides a more formal and machine-readable representation of the operations performed during the session.
- Filter for the file panel.
Changes in WinSCP 6.5.5 :
- Translation updated: Vietnamese.
- Bug fix: Pasting files using the local directory tree context menu pastes them to the current directory, instead of the selected one.
- Bug fix: Failure when opening a site imported from PuTTY with an unsupported SSH proxy.
- Bug fix: Incorrect hostname validation when connecting to an S3 endpoint with a certificate that does not cover the root S3 hostname.
Server Requirements
Using WinSCP, you may connect to an SSH (Secure Shell) server with SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) or SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) service, to an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server, or an HTTP server with WebDAV service.SFTP is a standard part of the SSH-2 package. SCP is a standard part of the SSH-1 package. You may run each protocol on the latter SSH version. WinSCP supports SSH-1 and SSH-2. All these avoid the slightly awkward “you can use either” construction while maintaining clarity. Other authorization types include TIS, Cryptocard, Keyboard-interactive, and Kerberos. For FTP, each basic unencrypted variant and FTPS are supported. Compressed transfers (Zlib) are usually not supported.
For WebDAV, each basic unencrypted variant is supported. Compressed transfers (Zlib) are usually not supported.
SFTP Requirements
For SFTP, the only requirement beyond the server requirements above is to run SFTP on the server. It is best to run it as an SSH-2 subsystem. If you select SFTP-only on the Login dialog and the SFTP subsystem is not found, WinSCP will try to find the SFTP server in some common directories (/usr/lib/sftp-server, /usr/local/lib/sftp-server, etc.). This way, it is possible to use SFTP even with SSH-1, which does not support subsystems.
