FTP
FTP stands for file transfer protocol, which allows you to upload files to your website from your desktop. Internet Explorer has FTP capabilities and because it is on most computers, you can use it in a pinch to upload files from virtually anywhere.
Using IE to Upload FTP
You need to get your upload server address, your user name and password from your webhost or ISP provider. Your upload server address will look something like this: ftp://ftp.yourhost.com/.
At the IE address bar type in ftp://uploadserveraddress/. It will probably look like this: ftp://ftp.yourhost.com/. A screen will then pop up that will ask you for your username and password. Type these in. Internet Explorer will look a lot like a file on your computer. You can now drag and drop files from your desktop to this window and they will be uploaded to your website. You can download files by dragging them from IE to your desktop. You can also use the right click method to copy and paste if you prefer, but most people like the ease and convenience of drag and drop. When you’re in the IE window, right click to create folders on your server just like you do on your desktop. You can also delete FTP files on your site by selecting the file and pressing the Delete key.
Troubleshooting IE
If something goes wrong, when you’re in IE, click on Tools, then Internet Options, then Advanced. Make sure that “Enable folder view for FTP sites” is on.
Use IE for Quick Jobs
While it’s easy to use and readily available, using IE this way is best left for small amounts of data because it can hang on large files. It also runs slower then most other dedicated FTP clients.
As you can see, once you know the correct address as well as your username and password, nothing could be easier than uploading and opening files on IE. For updating your website on the go, it’s probably the most convenient method.
Software for FTP FIle Transfer
You can also use FTP software such as CuteFTP from GlobalScape. These products make FTP file transfers a snap. Simply drag and drop in a user-friendly interface.
