WinSCP is an open source SFTP client, SCP client, FTPS client and FTP client for Windows. Its main function is file transfer between a local and a remote computer. Beyond this, WinSCP offers scripting and basic file manager functionality.

What FTP protocols does WinSCP support?

WinSCP offers support for secure SFTP and SCP protocols, which offer SSH and SSH2 encrypted authentication.

Can WinSCP be used as a file manager?

The WinSCP interface is organized as a file manager, yes it can also be used as a file manager. Although you can customize it a bit, when you open WinSCP you get a double pane file tree, the left being your local storage and the right the server you connect to.

How secure is WinSCP?

WinSCP is very secure as long as you keep your credentials safe. This means that if your computer is compromised with a trojan or keylogger, WinSCP login and information can be stolen and thus access to the server or servers you have stored can be also compromised.

Does WinSCP offer automated file transfers?

WinSCP can be configured to do automatic file transfers or synchronize files and/or directories but it requires a script. You can find a guide to automated file transfers to SFTP servers here.

Features

  • Graphical user interface
  • Translated into several languages
  • Integration with Windows (drag & drop, URL, shortcut icons)
  • U3 support
  • All common operations with files
  • Support for SFTP and SCP protocols over SSH-1 and SSH-2 and plain old FTP protocol
  • Batch file scripting and command-line interface
  • Directory synchronization in several semi or fully automatic ways
  • Integrated text editor
  • Support for SSH password, keyboard-interactive, public key and Kerberos (GSS) authentication
  • Integrates with Pageant (PuTTY authentication agent) for full support of public key authentication with SSH
  • Windows Explorer-like and Norton Commander-like interfaces
  • Optionally stores session information
  • Optionally supports standalone operation using a configuration file in place of registry entries, suitable for operation from removable media

What's New

  • Single large file can be downloaded using multiple SFTP connections.
  • Support for OpenSSH certificates for host verification.
  • File hash can be used as criterion for synchronization.
  • Improved behavior when duplicating and moving remote files.
  • Support for HMAC-SHA-512.
  • TLS/SSL core upgraded to OpenSSL 3.
  • XML parser upgraded to Expat 2.6.3.
  • Better error message when server is using incompatible TLS protocol version. 2299
  • Translations updated: Belarusian and Finnish.
  • Bug fix: Incorrect "Credentials were not specified" error when authentication fails due to incorrect password with FTP protocol. 2302
  • Bug fix: Stall when switching from S3 to other protocol on Login dialog on some networks. 2309

Previous release notes:

  • TLS/SSL core upgraded to OpenSSL 3.2.2.
  • Translation updated: Belarusian, Danish and Russian.
  • Standalone executable installer can run over corrupted MSI installation. 2294
  • Support for up-to 16KB WebDAV cookies. 2289
  • Bug fix: Failure when trying to automate file synchronization by checksum on an SFTP server that does not support it natively. 2291
  • Bug fix: Remote panel does not refresh after "ZIP and Upload". 2292

Alternatively you can download the latest beta version of this software.