What is WinSCP

    WinSCP is a SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) client for Windows. Its main function is the secure file transfer between a local computer and a remote computer. Beyond this, WinSCP offers basic file manager functionality. It uses SSH (Secure Shell) and supports, in addition to Secure FTP, also SCP (Secure Copy) protocol. A protocol which permits secure remote access over a network from one computer to another. SSH is a way to access another machine. Data is sent encrypted between the machines making it hard to grab information like passwords or files which are uploaded or downloaded from the local computer or the remote computer.

    How to Install WinSCP

  1. Download the executable file here and make a note of where you saved you file. (The blue colored text in quotes are links, click on them to view the example pictures.)
  2. Go to the location where you saved the file and double left click on it. The installer window will show up, click "Next" to continue with the installation.
  3. The destination location is set for C:\Program Files\WinSCP and unless you wish to install WinSCP in a different location click "Next" to continue to the next step. The start menu folder name will be WinSCP by default and unless you wish to change the name which you may do so, if you do not then click "Next" to proceed with the installation.
  4. You are now given the option to create a desktop and quick launch shortcuts, click the checkboxes for which you wish the shortcut to be created and click "Next".
  5. The setup now shows you a "summary"of where your program will be installed, what it will be named in the start menu, and whether or not you opted to have shortcuts created on your desktop or quick launch, click "Next" to install WinSCP
  6. Once the installation process is done you are given the option to launch WinSCP as soon as you click "Finish" to complete the installation.

    How to Login using WinSCP

    • When WinSCP is "first" run it shows you the pre-stored sessions which are Toro and Virgil. The labels "Toro" and "Virgil" refer to the two different account types. Toro accounts are the ones which are assigned to students and Virgil accounts are the ones assigned to staff/faculty.
    • Double left-clicking on either account (Toro or Virgil) takes you to a "login" prompt in which the host name and port number have already been entered, type in your username and password. In order to avoid having a constant reminder to enter username and password every time you login, you can save your login information by clicking the save button after entering your username and password and then click "login".
    • The first time you login a "prompt" will pop up stating that the server's host key was not found in the cache, click yes to save the key so you won't have to go through the key verification process every time you login.

      How to use WinSCP

    • WinSCP is simple to navigate once you login. The default look for WinSCP is a 2 "pane" view, the left and right. The left side shows you the contents of your My Documents folder and the right side shows your Toro or Virgil home drive.
    • The folders listed can easily be accessed by double left clicking on them which will show you the "contents" inside. In order to upload or down load files to and from either your computer you will need to select the file you wish to either upload or download by left clicking on it.
    • Once you have done this above the right side window pane you will see 2 "arrows" one pointing left and the other pointing right, they will now be blue. The left arrow is for downloading and the right is for uploading. Hovering your mouse over any button will popup a tooltip name descriptor for the button.