WinSCP is a free open source FTP, SFTP and SCP client for Microsoft Windows. Supports the standard FTP protocol for copying files between a local and remote computer (FTP is potentially insecure as it has no encryption tools, so all transmissions are clear text), but also SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol or SSH File Transfer Protocol), which provides the ability to securely transfer files. It supports various encryption algorithms (AES, Blowfish, etc.) and also has private keys available when you need to transfer sensitive data securely. It is very light (maximum 10 MB free disk space) and stable.
WinSCP runs on any Win32 system, including Windows 95, up to and including Windows 7. Although there are some alternatives that run natively on GNU/Linux, WinSCP can also be installed on this operating system via Crossover (it got a ‘Gold Medal’). prize’, which means that the application installs and runs as expected in Microsoft Windows) or Wine.
The main features of WinSCP are:
- Choice of two graphical user interfaces (interfaces similar to Windows Explorer or Norton Commander, the latter being more practical in our opinion);
- Good Windows integration (drag and drop shell, URL, shortcut icons);
- All common operations with Files are supported, such as browsing and searching, managing connections, changing file properties (permissions, ownership, etc.), uploading and downloading, deleting, creating, duplicating and moving files and directories, and editing directly through of the integrated text editor;
- Integrated Text Editor – To edit a file from the server, simply click it to download the file to your computer, which then automatically opens for editing and is then saved and uploaded to your remote location.
- Integrates with Pageant (PuTTY authentication agent) for full support of public key authentication with SSH.
- Support for FTP, SFTP and SCP protocols; Support for SSH password, interactive keyboard, public key, and Kerberos (GSS) authentication;
- Directory synchronization in various semi or fully automatic ways;
- U3 package available (U3 allows applications to be launched from specially formatted USB flash drives): Please note that some features are not available when using this option.
- Good documentation and forum.
- Translated into more than 30 languages (however, for some of them, the translations are not yet complete: these must be downloaded separately).
In our opinion, an important feature is that if you want to save your session settings (optional), including the password, you have the possibility to set a master password in the preferences menu: your passwords are protected by strong AES encryption (Advanced encryption). Standard ) and cannot be easily recovered. This means you’ll need to enter your master password every time the program needs to access protected passwords, which can be a bit of a pain but worth it for the extra security it offers.
One small caveat, however, is that the WinSCP installer uses the OpenCandy adware, which displays pop-up ads during software installation (not on the program itself). As some users may not be comfortable with this, the documentation includes a web page dedicated to this, which first explains that this partnership generates revenue for the development team, but that the “ad is only shown as one step of the installation of the software”, that “no unwanted software is installed” and that “no private information is collected” other than “geolocation, operating system and language”. The documentation finally provides a link to the OpenCandy privacy policy web page and how to install the software without it (a simple parameter when starting the setup program or even simpler when getting the executable version).
quick specs:
- License: GNU GPL (Free Software)
- Operating system: Windows (also works on GNU/Linux using Crossover)
- Tested version: 4.2.7
- Price: free
- Size: less than 10MB
- Languages: 30+ languages (some only partially supported)
- WinSCP website