# How to set up a Windows SFTP server You can set up an SFTP server on Windows using **PowerShell** or third-party tools with a graphical user interface. We’ll cover both methods and explain the requirements for [SFTP](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/sftp-ssh-file-transfer-protocol/ "SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)"). ## What do I need for a Windows SFTP server? Before you set up an FTP server, it’s important to first know the [difference between FTP and SFTP](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/ftp-vs-sftp/). Unlike [FTP](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/file-transfer-protocol/ "File Transfer Protocol"), which sends data in plain text, the **SFTP protocol ensures that data is encrypted** when it is being transferred. To establish a secure channel for data transfer, you’ll need [Secure Shell (SSH)](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/tools/ssh-secure-shell/ "SSH: Secure Shell"), which is provided by the open-source tool OpenSSH. To connect to the SFTP server, you need to install an SFTP client. You can, for example, use **FileZilla**. FileZilla has a drag-and-drop file management system and allows you to transfer up to 4 gigabytes of data. It’s important to make sure your system has enough memory to transfer the amount of data you want to transfer. The following minimum system requirements need to be met: - **Processor (CPU)**: min. 1.6 GHz (Dual core) - **Memory (RAM)**: 4 GB - **Disk space**: depends on data size - **Operating system**: Windows - **Software**: OpenSSH, SFTP client - **Internet connection**: for data transfer Tip With [secure FTP hosting](https://www.ionos.ca/hosting/ftp-hosting "Secure FTP hosting from IONOS") from IONOS, you’ll have access to quick and secure servers with SFTP or FTPS. ## Step-by-step instructions for setting up a Windows SFTP server To install a Windows SFTP server, you need to download OpenSSH and **open the corresponding SSH port** so that the SFTP server and client can communicate with each other. ### Step 1: Install OpenSSH Download the latest version of OpenSSH. This can be done from GitHub. Once you’ve downloaded the latest version, right-click to open PowerShell and select **Run as administrator**. Then go to the OpenSSH folder: ```bash cd "C: \Program Files\OpenSSH" ``` Use the command `dir` to list the files in the directory. [![Image: PowerShell: File list in the OpenSSH folder](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/3/e/csm_openssh-packets-windows_225478a272.webp "PowerShell: File list in the OpenSSH folder")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/openssh-packets-windows.png) PowerShell: File list in the OpenSSH folder ### Step 2: Activate SSHD and the SSH agent Both the SSH daemon and the SSH agent can be installed with a command. ```bash powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File install-sshd.ps1 ``` Once they have been successfully installed, you can close the PowerShell. Note You can manually start the SSH daemon or choose to have it activated with every restart. In *Services.msc*, you can set it up so that the SSH daemon automatically starts on boot. ### Step 3: Open an SSH port SSH uses port 22 as its standard port. Since Windows doesn’t typically come with SSH preinstalled, this port is normally closed. You can manually open it using Windows Firewall. Open Windows Defender Firewall and select **New Rule** under **Inbound Rules**. [![Image: Windows Defender Firewall: Add inbound rules](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/f/8/csm_firewall-incoming-rule_7282d62762.webp "Windows Defender Firewall: Add inbound rules")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/firewall-incoming-rule.png) Windows Defender Firewall: Adding inbound rules In the next window, select **Port** and click on **Next**. [![Image: Windows Defender Firewall: Select port rule](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/1/csm_firewall-port-rule_8927dd478e.webp "Windows Defender Firewall: Select port rule")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/firewall-port-rule.png) Windows Defender Firewall: Select port rule Select the **TCP** protocol and set “22” as a port. [![Image: Windows Defender Firewall: Setting SSH port 22](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/f/5/csm_firewall-set-port_21d528194d.webp "Windows Defender Firewall: Setting SSH port 22")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/firewall-set-port.png) Windows Defender Firewall: Setting SSH port 22 In the next window, keep the connection selected and tick the box next to **Private** under **Profile**. [![Image: Windows Defender Firewall: Profile settings](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/b/6/csm_firewall-profile-settings_1850eff6da.webp "Windows Defender Firewall: Profile settings")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/firewall-profile-settings.png) Windows Defender Firewall: Profile settings You can also add a name for the new rule. In our example, we’ve used the name “OpenSSH”. You can also add a description. Once you’re done, you can close the port settings by clicking **Finish**. [![Image: Windows Defender Firewall: Setting a name for the new rule](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/5/6/csm_firewall-name_17d036c17e.webp "Windows Defender Firewall: Setting a name for the new rule")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/firewall-name.png) Windows Defender Firewall: Setting a name for the new rule ### Step 4: Create SFTP connection To connect to the SFTP server, you will need an SFTP client. Our example uses FileZilla, but you can also use WinSCP or Swish. One advantage of Swish is that it’s directly available in Windows Explorer. To configure the SFTP client, you need to enter the following information: - Connection type (SFTP) - IP address/Hostname - Username - Password - Port (usually 22) Once you’re done, you can connect to the SFTP server. In our example, this is on the left-hand side of your local computer. On the right, you’ll see the folder structure of the server. [![Image: FileZilla: Connect to the SFTP server](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/3/2/csm_connect-filezilla_9d6c7a080b.webp "FileZilla: Connect to the SFTP server")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/connect-filezilla.png) FileZilla: Connect to the SFTP server ### Step 5: Upload files to the Windows SFTP server Upload a file to the SFTP server by moving it to the file folder on the right-hand side or by right-clicking and selecting **Upload**. [![Image: FileZilla: Upload file](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/7/e/csm_filezilla-upload-file_e5ae858911.webp "FileZilla: Upload file")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2023/filezilla-upload-file.png) FileZilla: Upload file Tip Prefer Linux? Read our step-by-step tutorial on how to [set up an SFTP server on Ubuntu](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/configuration/set-up-an-ubuntu-sftp-server/). This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/configuration/set-up-a-windows-sftp-server/](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/configuration/set-up-a-windows-sftp-server/) for AI/LLM consumption.