Secure Shell or SSH is a network protocol that provides a platform for exchanging data using a secure channel between two networked devices. The protocol employs public-key cryptography to authenticate the remote computer and allow the remote computer to authenticate the user, if needed. Secure Shell is typically used to log into a remote machine and execute commands, but it also supports tunneling, forwarding TCP ports and X11 connections; it can transfer files using the associated SFTP or SCP protocols. SSH uses the client-server model.

What is WinSCP ?

WinSCP is a powerful client designed to accommodate file transfer via a wide range of protocols including SSH, FTP, SCP and SFTP. It is hailed as one of the best applications of its kind and we are going to go through the reasons why that is so.

WinSCP offers customization, security and scripting functionalities in a smart and comprehensive environment. A choice of two interfaces is available explorer and Commander interfaces, both with multiple innate capabilities.

Graphical User Interface

WinSCP has a flexible and easily customizable interface depending on the user's needs. Changing the interface can be done during the installation process but can opt for the other one at any moment.

The Commander interface should surprise no one who has worked before with Norton Commander or other similar programs. It is very keyboard friendly, has panels for local (left) and remote folders (right).

The Windows Explorer like interface is equally easy to use; you only see the remote folder. To transfer files, enter the target local directory's location or drag and drop. Both interfaces offer the same transfer methods.

There is no right interface, it's mostly a user choice as they both provide the same functionalities.

How to use WinSCP

In order to connect to a FTP, SCP, SFTP server you must provide a few details: host name of the server you wish to connect to, the particular protocol supported by the server, account username and password. If you want to save the details of the session you can use it again in the future without having to input the parameters again. Press the Save button and use an appropriate session name.

Once you are connected to your account of FTP/SFTP server, you will see content of default remote directory (typically a home directory of your account) on remote file panel.

If you want to upload / download the files to different directory, navigate there first.

From here on end, you can drag and drop files between panels depending on the user rights. However if you want to change any settings, so just press Copy. Uploading / downloading will proceed according to your settings.

An interesting thing about WinSCP is that it supports scripting meaning you can automate file transfers, synchronization and other operations. In order to do so, you need to have basic knowledge of the commands. Here are some of the more simpler operations you can use:

- Set script to be performed non-interactively. For most automation scripts, you should use commands "option batch on" and "option confirm off".
- Open session using the "open" command.
- Perform operation. For uploads use the "put" command. For downloads use the "get" command. For synchronization use the "synchronize" command.
- Exit scripting using the "exit" command.

Security is ensured over the SFTP and FTPS protocols.

WinSCP provides users with multiple ways of synchronizing your local files with remote directories. This can be achieved by manually uploading and downloading the changed files. For this you may find useful features like Synchronize browsing and Compare directories or transfer option Newer and updated file(s) only.
- Users can employ the Synchronize function to let WinSCP perform synchronization.
- Users can make changes locally and immediately upload the changed files to remote locations; this can be done in an easier fashion if you let WinSCP monitor for changes and it will automatically automatically upload them on the remote folder using the function Keep remote directory up to date.
- Should there be the same files but with different timestamps, you can update them without transferring the files again. This same both time and bandwidth and Synchronize in Synchronize timestamps mode does exactly that.
- Use scripting to fully automate synchronization tasks.

WinSCP also comes with a built-in text editor that you can use in order to edit both remote and local files. Should you have another more advanced text editor, simply provide the path in the settings menu.

Overview

WinSCP provides a flexible, versatile and fully customizable client that allows file transfer over multiple protocols including SFTP, SCP and FTP. Supports scripts and therefore encourages automating transfers, synchronization and many other actions; can successfully work with mobile devices

WinSCP has been translated into multiple languages and distributed in both source code, portable and installation packages for Windows users. Available under the GNU General Public License and therefore Free!

For more information, please watch the movie that contains installation and complete features demo

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