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Using FTP from a Command Prompt

Sometimes you have a need to transfer a file quickly, or your computer may have a non-functioning browser, or you don’t have time to configure IE settings for FTP.  Regardless of the reason, here’s an easy way to transfer any number of files from virtually any computer regardless of Operating System.

Open a command prompt where you want the file to go/originate. If your prompt opens on h: you may have to type c: (or the appropriate drive letter)  then cdsubdirectoryname or in the case of Linux/Unix cd /subdirectoryname

FTP From Command Prompt Subdirectory Name

Issue the command..

ftp yourftpservername..

FTP From Command Prompt Server Name

Enter your username and password, you should wind up at a prompt..

FTP From Command Prompts Directory

Type bin to put it in binary mode, you will do this for anything but a text or batch file

FTP From Command Prompt Binary Mode

From here you can type…

get filename in order to receive the file  or put filename to send the file, or you can type

mget filena* or mput filena* and it will prompt you for all the files that meet that filespec , you will answer y or n

FTP From Command Prompt File Name

If you know that you want all the files that meet the filespec you can first type..

prompt

and it will not prompt you, it will do all the files that meet the filespec. When you’re done with the session you can type bye or by to exit

There you have it!

Once you’re used to transferring files this way you’ll have a tool in your bag of tricks that could come in handy some day.

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Brandon Siegfried

Written by Brandon Siegfried

Brandon focuses on Storage, backups, Windows Servers and O365 Administration. He graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Business Administration degree and attended New Horizons for computer training. When Brandon is not working, he enjoys spending time with family, hiking, hunting and relaxing in the mountains.