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A Useful Microsoft Tool (really) Hidden From View (naturally)

By Bud Kraus
bud@joyofcode.com
Joy Of Code
Creator And Instructor

v2 i16
Originally Published: October 12, 2006

You're stranded, cut loose from the Mother Ship. Normally when you're manning your station it's easy for you to move files across the galaxy, from one computer to another. That's because you use an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program that you're familiar with, such as WS_FTP. But today - you're stuck - you're far from home base and you need to move files but you have no way to do it.

Wait a second. You do have a way. You just don't know that you can move files from one computer to another. Microsoft did something nice for you (I'm serious) for just such occasions when you're not where you usually are.

What's the answer to the question, "Where can I get a free FTP program that's right in front of my face?" Surprise!! Hidden from casual view, the Redmond Gorilla built an FTP program that every Windows computer has.

But first, before you can upload or download files to and from another computer, you need to know 3 things:

  1. Host Name (such as ftp.yourdomainname.com)
  2. User ID
  3. Password

This information is available from your network administrator.

Here we go. Follow the step by step directions to find this little treasure that just might save the day when you're in a jam to move files.

WARNING: Any one of these steps could be slightly different with your computer.

Step 1

Go to START and select "My Network Places." (Don't freak out. This is not geeky.) In that folder, on the right side under "Network Tasks," select "Add A Network." The "Add A Network Wizard" opens.

Step 2

In the Wizard click "Next" and on the following page select "Choose Another Network Location." In the Internet or Network Address, type in the Host Name (see, I told you that you needed this info). You can even "View Some Examples" to see what is needed. It might be something like ftp://ftp.yourdomainname.com. With the Host Name entered, hit "Next."

Now they ask you to type in the name for the network place (have you figure out that network place is the MS way of saying "the remote (other) computer." Any name will do. "My Web Site" works as well as any other thing you can think of. Good. Hit "Next" and you are taken to "Completing The Add Network Place Wizard." With the default checkbox checked for "Open Network Place When Finished," hit "Finish."

Step 3

A "Log On As" box appears asking for the last two pieces of info that I said you needed - your user id and password. Go ahead and enter them. Remember, those things are case sensitive so be careful. Click "Save Password." Hit OK and - what do you know - a folder opens, and it lists the files and folders on the other computer.

You can now move folders and files around from your computer to the remote computer as you would if you were moving folders and files just on your computer. Drag and drop, or copy and paste - whatever you prefer - it works just like any FTP program because that's just what it is. Built into every Windows Explorer is this handy FTP utility and I'll bet you didn't know that.

To re-open the connection to the remote computer, just go back to "Network Places" and find the name you gave it back in Step 2.

Step 4

Be proud of yourself. Sit back and enJoy an adult beverage.