To set up an FTP server on Windows 11, turn on the built-in FTP Server feature in Windows Features, create an FTP site in Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager, and allow FTP through Windows Defender Firewall. Then connect from another computer by typing ftp:// followed by your PC’s IP address in File Explorer or an FTP client such as FileZilla. You don’t need to install any third-party server software.
The full steps take about 10 minutes. Below is how to install the feature, create the site, control who can log in, open the firewall, and connect, plus a safer SFTP option if you need access over the internet.
Step 1: Turn on the FTP Server feature
- Press Windows key + R, type optionalfeatures, and press Enter. This opens Turn Windows features on or off.
- Expand Internet Information Services.
- Expand FTP Server and check FTP Service and FTP Extensibility.
- Expand Web Management Tools and check IIS Management Console.
- Click OK and wait for Windows to install the features. Restart if asked.
Step 2: Create a user and a folder for FTP
It’s safer to give FTP access to a separate account rather than your main Windows account.
- Open Settings > Accounts > Other users and click Add account. Choose to add a user without a Microsoft account and give it a strong password.
- Create a folder for shared files, such as C:\FTP.
- Right-click the folder, choose Properties > Security > Edit, and give the new user Modify permission if they need to upload, or Read if they only need to download.
Step 3: Create the FTP site in IIS Manager
- Click Start, type IIS, and open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
- In the left pane, expand your computer name, right-click Sites, and choose Add FTP Site.
- Enter a site name and choose your FTP folder as the Physical path. Click Next.
- Leave IP Address set to All Unassigned and Port at 21. Check Start FTP site automatically.
- Under SSL, choose No SSL for a home network test, or Require SSL and pick a certificate for a more secure setup. Click Next.
- Under Authentication, check Basic.
- Under Authorization, choose Specified users and type the FTP user’s name.
- Check Read, and Write if the user should be able to upload. Click Finish.
Step 4: Allow FTP through the firewall
- Open Start, search for Allow an app through Windows Firewall, and open it.
- Click Change settings.
- Find FTP Server and check Private. Only check Public if you understand the risk.
- Click OK.
Step 5: Connect to your FTP server
- On the server PC, open Command Prompt, type ipconfig, and note the IPv4 Address, such as 192.168.1.50.
- On another computer on the same network, open File Explorer and type ftp://192.168.1.50 in the address bar.
- Enter the FTP user’s name and password.
For drag-and-drop transfers and resuming large files, use a free FTP client such as FileZilla. Enter the IP address as the host, the user name and password, and port 21.
Accessing your FTP server from outside your home
Reaching your PC from the internet requires forwarding port 21 (and a range of passive ports) on your router to the PC, and usually a dynamic DNS service because home IP addresses change. Standard FTP sends passwords in plain text, so if you open it to the internet, require SSL (FTPS) at minimum.
A simpler and more secure option is SFTP, which runs over SSH:
- Go to Settings > System > Optional features and add OpenSSH Server.
- Open Services, find OpenSSH SSH Server, set it to Automatic, and start it.
- Connect with an SFTP client on port 22 using a Windows account’s name and password.
FTP options compared
| Option | Encryption | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| FTP (IIS, no SSL) | None | Quick transfers on a trusted home network |
| FTPS (IIS with SSL) | Yes | Sharing with devices that only support FTP |
| SFTP (OpenSSH Server) | Yes | Remote access over the internet |
| Windows file sharing (SMB) | Yes, on modern Windows | Sharing folders between Windows PCs at home |
Troubleshooting
- Login fails: Check that Basic authentication is on and the user is listed in FTP Authorization Rules for the site.
- Can’t connect at all: Make sure the FTP site is started in IIS Manager and FTP Server is allowed in the firewall.
- Folder listing hangs: Switch your FTP client to passive mode, or configure a passive port range under FTP Firewall Support in IIS.
- Access denied on upload: Give the user Write permission in IIS and Modify permission on the folder.
Related: enable IIS in Windows 11.
Related: use SMB file sharing on Windows.
Frequently asked questions
Is FTP built into Windows 11?
Yes. The FTP server is part of IIS, an optional Windows feature that you turn on in Windows Features. Windows 11 Home and Pro both include it.
Do browsers still support FTP?
No. Chrome, Edge and Firefox removed FTP support. Use File Explorer or an FTP client instead.
What port does FTP use?
FTP uses port 21 for commands, plus extra ports for data transfers. SFTP uses port 22.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.