How do I connect to FTP over TLS with explicit SSL using Windows 10 File Explorer?

Question

_{Wednesday, August 5, 2015 8:46 AM | 4 votes}

After posting this question to the Microsoft Answers forum, I was told by a moderator (Ganesh Achar B):

"Your Windows question is more complex than what is typically answered in the Microsoft Answers forums. It is better suited in the TechNet forums."

My son recently set up what he calls an "internet worthy" FTP server - he said: "By default, FTP does not encrypt usernames, passwords, or data, but by using 'FTPES' you can force all of that to be encrypted".  He used a linux-based server to set it up - and it works wonderfully for him and all of the other linux-based devices around the house (like android phones and his computer).  I can use the server too, it's just that I need to use a sideloaded app called "FileZilla FTP Client".  The problem that I ran into is that I wanted to connect to our FTP server using Windows 10's built-in file explorer by adding a network location instead of having to launch filezilla every time I want to access my data.

I asked my son about making it compatible with the file explorer app, but he says that he cannot find a way to make the file explorer app "use TLS with explicit SSL".  He also states that he is no expert on windows, but he knows that making the server "normal" FTP would pose a security vulnerability when accessing it from the internet for the aforementioned reasons.

So, how do I connect to FTP over TLS with explicit SSL using Windows 10 File Explorer or is it not possible to do so?

All replies (2)

_{Thursday, August 6, 2015 9:33 AM ✅Answered | 1 vote}

Hi,

According to your description, my understanding is that you want to access FTP server(TLS with explicit SSL) using File Explorer on Windows 10.

In general, we can use File Explorer to access FTP server by option “Add Network Location”. But based on my search, Windows explorer does not support FTP over TLS, the FTP client might be necessary to access the FTP server(TLS with explicit SSL).

Best Regards,
Eve Wang

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_{Wednesday, December 16, 2015 9:05 AM | 8 votes}

It should be a must to the next version.

Mac and Linux support FTPS and SFTP in theirs file explorers.

Best Regards,

Moisés Márquez