How To Connect With A FTP Website Using CMD

How to use command line FTP to upload to a website

Many software tools are available for FTP file transfer. However, you can also use the tools that are in Microsoft Windows.

We assume that you know how to use Microsoft Windows. These instructions are an overview of what you need to do. Before you start, make sure that you know the FTP user name and the FTP password.

Notes

• Possibly, file names on an FTP site are case-sensitive. If you are not sure, ask your ISP. However, if you always make sure that the case is correct, errors cannot occur.
• These instructions are for the Windows operating system.
• Words in this text are what you see in the Command Prompt.
• Words in this text are what you type.
• <Enter> means press the Enter key (also known as the Return key).
• Replace text that is <in angle brackets> with your particular text.
• These instructions were confirmed using Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Possibly, they are correct for other versions of Windows, but possibly, there are small differences.
• Some FTP sites require that you connect using 'passive' mode. Passive mode is not supported in the Windows command line program (www.iss.net/security_center/advice/Services/FTP/PASV/default.htm). Therefore, you cannot use the method that is explained on this page.
• You can use Windows Explorer to transfer files by FTP. That is a much easier method than using FTP at the Command Prompt. Type the FTP address in the Address Bar and enter your user name and password. Then copy files in the usual manner.

To connect to your website using command line FTP

1. Open the DOS Command Prompt (Start>Programs>Accessories>Command Prompt).
2. Type: ftp <your website address> <Enter>
   Example: C:\>ftp www.example.com
3. If a connection to the Internet is not open, the Dial-Up Networking dialog box appears. Click Dial to connect, and obey any instructions that appear.
4. After the system establishes an Internet connection, the User prompt appears. Type your user name and press <Enter>.
5. Type your password and press <Enter>.
6. Text appears. Here is an example:
   C:\>ftp www.example.com
Connected to abc.def.net.
220 abc.def.net FTP server ready.
User (abc.def.net:(none)): joebloggs
331 Password required for joebloggs.
Password:
230 User joebloggs logged in.
ftp>
   
   The ftp prompt on the last line shows that you can now upload, download, and delete files on the website.

To upload to your website

You can either navigate to the directory that contains the files that you want to upload, or you can specify the directory when you upload files. It is probably easiest to navigate to the applicable directory (this is the method that we show).

1. Set the transfer type:
   • For ASCII files (such as HTML pages and CSS) type: ascii <Enter>
   • For binary files (such as graphics, exe files) type: bin <Enter>
2. Optional. Show the data transfer. Type: hash <Enter>
3. Navigate to the local directory (that is, on your computer) that contains the files that you want to upload. Type: lcd <directory> <Enter>
   Note: if there are spaces in the path name, put the path name in double quote marks.
4. Upload or delete files using FTP commands. The most useful are:
   • To upload a single file use put. Example: ftp> put myfile.pdf <Enter>
   • To upload multiple files use mput. Example: ftp> mput *.htm <Enter>
   • To quit FTP use quit
5. Close the Command Prompt.

List of FTP commands

The table lists the DOS-based FTP commands that you can use in the Windows Command Prompt (other FTP commands are available). Some of the explanations are quite cryptic. Sorry.

FTP commands available in DOS

FTP command	Does this
!	Escape to the shell
?	Print local help information
append	Append to a file
ascii	Set ASCII transfer type. Use this to transfer text files, such as .htm files. See www.superior-host.com/webhosting-guide/linux-files.html for an excellent discussion of when to use ascii mode and when to use binary mode.
bell	Beep when command completed
binary	Set binary transfer type. Use this to transfer binary files such as .exe files and graphics (see also ascii).
bye	Terminate the FTP session and exit
cd	Change remote working directory ( use .. to go to parent)
close	Terminate FTP session
delete	Delete remote file
debug	Toggle debugging mode
dir	List the contents of the remote directory
disconnect	Terminate the FTP session
get	Receive file (see also mget)
glob	Toggle metacharacter expansion of local file names
hash	Toggle printing '#' for each buffer transferred
help	Prints list of commands
lcd	Change the local working directory
literal	Send an arbitrary FTP command
ls	List contents of remote directory
mdelete	Delete multiple files
mdir	List the contents of multiple remote directories
mget	Get multiple files (see also get)
mkdir	Make a directory on the remote machine
mls	List contents of multiple remote directories
mput	Send multiple files (see also put)
open	Connect to remote FTP
prompt	Force interactive prompting on multiple commands (this is a toggle)
put	Send one file (see also mput)
pwd	Print working directory on remote machine
quit	Terminate FTP session and exit
quote	Send an arbitrary FTP command. You can view a list of raw FTP commands on www.nsftools.com/tips/RawFTP.htm
recv	Receive file
remotehelp	Get help from remote server
rename	Rename a file
rmdir	Remove a directory on the remote machine
send	Send one file
status	Show current status
trace	Toggle packet tracing
type	Set file transfer type
user	Send new user information
verbose	Toggle verbose mode