WinSCP SFTP Client Quick Start

Step 1: Get the WinSCP Installer Application

Note: If you have a slow Internet connection at home, you can check out a CD from the Inver Hills CC library that has an installation application on it. If you get the CD, start with step 2.

  1. Go to http://winscp.net and follow the Download link. Choose to download the Installation Package, not the Standalone Application. NOTE: Retrieve the non-beta version of the latest release if a beta version is available; the developers make beta versions available for people to test while in development, but beta software can be unstable.
  2. Be a good "netizen" and choose a download site near you.
  3. Pay attention to where you save the installer file so you can find it to run later.

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Step 2: Install WinSCP

  1. Find and double-click the installer file you downloaded to run the Setup Wizard.
  2. Click the 'Next' button to display the license agreement information.
  3. Read the license agreement and click 'I accept the agreement' radio button if you agree to its terms and then click the 'Next' button.
  4. Choose the location to install the application files (the pre-selected location is generally best) and click the 'Next' button.
  5. Choose to install the Full Installation (the check boxes for all component should be checked) and click the 'Next' button.
  6. Select what you want the folder in your Start Programs menu to be called. You may want to put "(Secure FTP)", or something like that, after the WinSCP3 text as a reminder of what the application does. Click the 'Next' button.
  7. Select the additional tasks that should be performed during the installation. The items about whether or not to put an icon on the desktop or in the quick launch bar are up to you. You should check the item to register to handle scp:// and sftp:// addresses.
  8. Select which interface design you would like to be used. You can change this setting afterwards to try out both. The Explorer-like option is probably one you are already familiar with since it mimics the Windows Explorer interface using drag and drop actions. Click the 'Next' button when you have make your choice.
  9. Click the 'Install' button.
  10. When the installation process is complete you can click the 'Finish' button.

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Step 3: Connect to the Inver Hills CC Secure FTP Server

  1. Start the WinSCP application (it may have already started if you opted to have the installer launch the program); the WinSCP Login window appears first.
  2. The first time you use WinSCP on a computer, you need to enter the server and username information into the respective fields of the login window:
         Host name : zdrive.inverhills.edu
         Port : 22
         Username : your campus network account username
         Password : leave blank, you will enter it when you connect, don't store your password
         Private key file : none, leave the field blank
         Protocol : either of the SFTP choices will work
  3. Click the 'Save...' button, give the session a name and click the 'OK' button. The next time you use WinSCP on the same computer you can simply select the saved session and the information will be automatically loaded.
  4. Click to highlight the saved session and click the 'Login' button. The first time you connect to the server you will be asked if the host key should be added to the cache, click the 'Yes' button to avoid seeing this again (when you use the same computer).
  5. Enter your campus network account password when prompted and click the 'OK' button. If the password was entered accurately a session window will open showing the available network folders available through Secure FTP. Access to each space is controlled; you won't be able to enter an area the permissions associated with your network account doesn't allow.

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Step 4: Transferring Files Using Drag and Drop Method

The drag and drop method requires that two application windows share the space in the computer display. The following instructions assume you:

Note 1: You will need the Macromedia Flash plug-in or the Flash Player to view the demonstration movies. If you need the free plug-in, you can get it from the Macromedia web site.

Note 2: If WinSCP is set to use the Norton Commander-like interface (view screen image), you can change the Preferences... (in the Options menu) to change the interface selection. You could also refer to the WinSCP help documents to learn how to use that particular interface.

Copying Files TO Network Folder Window Using Explorer-like Interface (watch demo movie)

  1. Double-click the folders that appear in the WinSCP window until the folder you want to work with is open.
  2. Use Windows Explorer to open the folder that contains the folder or file you want to move.
  3. Click and drag the folder or file icon in the Windows Explorer window and drag it to the WinSCP window; you will be prompted to specify which action to take; click 'Copy'. A status window will open showing you the progress of the action. After the process is finished you should see the folder or files you copied listed in the WinSCP window.

Copying Files FROM Network Folder Using Explorer-like Interface (watch demo movie)

  1. Double-click the folders that appear in the WinSCP window until the folder you want to work with is open.
  2. Use Windows Explorer to open the folder you want to copy or move the files into.
  3. Drag and drop the folder or file icon in the WinSCP window to the Windows Explorer window; you will be prompted for an action to take; select 'Copy'. A status window will open showing you the progress of the action. After the process is finished you should see the folder or files you copied listed in the Windows Explorer window.

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