SFTP for Windows Users (WinSCP)

Download and Install WinSCP

Connect to Prairienet with WinSCP

Make sure your Internet connection is up and running.

1. Doubleclick the WinSCP icon on your desktop. (Or Start WinSCP by clicking on Start > Programs > WinSCP > WinSCP).

   You will see this login screen. Fill it out as follows:

   Host name: ftp.prairienet.org
   User Name: your Prairienet login
   Password: your Prairienet password
   Under Protocol, select SFTP.

   

   You can switch between Norton Commander and Explorer-like interfaces by clicking on Preferences (in left-hand column).

   TIP: You can have WinSCP remember your last used directories. In the left-hand column, click on Environment and check Remember last directory used

   

2. Click Login and WinSCP will attempt to connect to the remote host. The first time you log in, a warning similar to the one below may appear. This is normal the first time you log into any secure server. Click Yes.

   

   If login is successful, it will open a WinSCP window with the Local System panel on the left (i.e. the files on your computer) and the Remote System panel on the right (i.e. the files in your home directory on the Prairienet server).

   

Transfer Files

1. In the Local/ Remote System panels, find and click on the file you want to download/upload. (Remember that Web files go in your public_html directory.)

2. By using the command keys at the bottom of the WinSCP window, you can Copy (F5) files from one panel to another. You may also simply drag and drop files from one panel to the other.

   TIP: Because all secure FTP transfers are binary, you no longer need to distinguish between ASCII and binary transfers.

3. A Copy/ Move Confirmation screen will appear. Click on Ok to confirm or More to see all confirmation options.

   TIP: Because the Prairienet Web server is case-sensitive, we recommend that always use lower case when naming files and directories. Windows allows the use of blank spaces in filenames but we recommend that you replace blank spaces with an underscore in order to ensure that your Web pages are universally viewable in all browsers.

4. To save your session, go to the top menu and select Session, Save Session.

   

5. To exit, click Quit (F10) (bottom right).

Create a location profile

1. From the top menu, select Options, Preferences.

   Select Environment, Commander and check Use Location Profiles instead of Directory Bookmarks

2. To save your local/remote locations, select Local > Add to Bookmarks from the top menu. You will be prompted for Location Profile name.

3. To access your profiles later, click on the open folder icon .

Set a default editor

1. On the top menu under Options, select Preferences, Editor

2. Select External Editor and click on the ... to browse for the file location.

3. Click Ok

TIP: Depending on your system, you may find that you will need to open your editor before select F4 Edit in order to avoid the message "Waiting for file to close".

Explore WinSCP Functions

Most WinSCP functions are accessible either via top menu, icons, and function keys or keyboard shortcuts. Pointing to an icon will pop up a short description of its function.

Start and Run WinSCP

1. Start WinSCP by clicking on Start > Programs > WinSCP.
2. Highlight the desired session, and click on Load.
3. If you configured WinSCP to remember the last used directories, you will be where your last session left off.