The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a set of rules that regulate how computers send and receive data over the internet. FTP is used by businesses to transfer files between computers, and websites utilize it to post and download files from their servers. In this tutorial, we will walk through the process of creating an FTP account in the Windows 2022 Server.
Step 1: Set up Internet Information Services (IIS)
An FTP server is supported on IIS (Internet Information Services). So, in order to create an FTP server on Windows 2022 Server, we first need to install both IIS and FTP services.
Now, we need to run the Add roles and features wizard. There are several ways to do that. Follow the steps shown in the figure below.
The Add roles and features wizard will be launched with the “Before you begin†page. Check the “Skip this page by default†option to skip it in the future. Proceed by hitting “Nextâ€.
Choose the “Role-based or feature-based installation†radio button since creating an FTP server on your Windows 2022 server is a role-based type of installation.
Then, perform the server selection by selecting the “Select a server from the server pool†radio button and selecting the server you wish to install IIS and FTP on. If there is only one server in the pool, it will be selected by default. Hit “Next†to proceed.
You will see in the picture below that IIS has is not been installed in our system. However, in your case, you need to select the FTP Server in the Roles services if IIS is installed.
Hence, You will just see us installing the FTP Server Roles in the figure below. You will, however, need to expand the “Internet Information Services†feature, and expand the FTP server option. You will see the FTP Extensibility and FTP Service options. Select them.
Additionally, you should also check the Web Management Tools option with the default selections and the IIS Management Console. Click on “Next†to proceed.
We won’t be installing any features. Proceed without checking any features by hitting “Nextâ€
Confirm the installation and click on the install button.
You will see the following window when the installation is complete.
Step 2: Set Up an FTP Account
First, we will have to launch IIS from the server manager. Navigate to “Tools†and select “Internet Information Servicesâ€.
From the “Connections†pane in the IIS window, right-click on “Sites†and select the “Add FTP Site†option.
You can also allow anonymous access to the folder for users by setting permission. Use the following command in CMD to do so:
ICACLS "%SystemDrive%wwwroot" /Grant IUSR:R /T
In the Add FTP Site Window, enter a descriptive name in the FTP site name. Then, use the browse option in the “Content Directory†field to select the folder you want to use to store your FTP files. Hit “Next†to proceed.
You will then see the Binding and SSL Settings window open up. Keep the default Binding settings selections and make sure that the “Start FTP site automatically†is checked.
In the SSL settings, select the “No SSL†option. This is because we’re setting it up in a lab environment and will be destroyed in the next hour. Hence, you must select the “require SSL†option in your production environment. That will ensure the prevention of your data from being transmitted in a clear text.
Click “Next†to proceed. The Authentication and Authorization Settings page will be displayed.
If you want the FTP server to be accessed by multiple users, select the “All Users†option from the authorization settings. Also, check the Read and Write options. Hit “Finish†when you’re done.
Select “Basic†in the authentication settings. It means that there’s no encryption used and the username/password is sent in clear text.
You will see that the FTP server has been configured successfully on your Windows 2022 server. You will see the FTP server in the operational state in the IIS window.
PS: Configure the Windows Firewall if you haven’t.
Conclusion
And there we go. In this tutorial, we have successfully created an FTP account on the Windows 2022 server. You can simply access the files on your FTP server through Windows Explorer. If you’re sitting on a local server, just open a file explorer and type ftp://serverIP or ftp://localhost. Enter the username and password and the files and folders display under the FTP server.
- Your search to the best windows hosting can end by clicking here.
