How to use FTP via Windows Explorer

so does this mean that i can not use ftp on Internet Explorer at all?
or is there a different way?

The answer actually depends on the version of Internet Explorer you have.

Older versions will allow FTP. Newer versions do not allow it. Future versions may or may not.

Currently, you should use Windows Explorer (My Computer icon) for FTP connections.

For all WINDOWS 7 users pls find following instructions of how to create a shortcut to open a FTP site in Windows Explorer personalised for HOSTAGTOR. (this shortcut works similar with Web Disk)

Advantages: The windows explorer display interface is more friendly than FTP clients and you can drag and drop to copy files or use any Windows option.

Disadvantages: For full site backup or large transfers i recommend using a FTP client like Filezilla wich are using accelerators as the windows connection tranfer rate is quite slow.

1. Open Computer (My computer)
2. Right-click anywhere in the folder, and then click Add a Network Location.
3. This displays the Add Network Connection wizard. Click Next.
4. In the wizard, select Choose a custom network location, and then click Next.
5. Enter the name of the FTP site, with the full FTP:// in front of it, and then click Next.
For HOSTAGTOR must look like this:
FTP://ftp.yourdomainname.yourdomainextension
For example if you domain name is DOMAIN.NET the full name should look like this: FTP://ftp.domain.net
Pls omit any www or http, etc.

6. To use a name and password, clear the Log on anonymously check box. Type your Hostgator Account Username, and then click Next.

7. By default, the name of the shortcut is the same as the FTP address. If you want to give the shortcut a different name, type it in the Type a name for this network location box. Click Next.

8. If you do not want the FTP site to open after you're done setting up the shortcut, clear the Open this network location when I click Finish check box. Click Finish. A shortcut to the FTP site appears in the Computer folder. You can drag that shortcut to your desktop so that it's easy to find later.

9. When you first connect to the FTP site, you’ll be prompted for a password. Enter the Hostgator Account Password. Select the Save password check box if you want Windows to remember that password and connect you directly to the site in the future.

10. Note: You can open FTP sites in Windows Explorer even if Internet Explorer isn't your default browser.

11. Your connection is suucesfull if you can see the icons of your web directory.

All the best to all.

I can access FTP using Win7 with Internet Explorer 9.
Browse to: ftp://www.domain.com
Enter: User Name
Enter: password
That will get you to the FTP root directory.
Then click on View and then Open FTP site in Windows Explorer
There you go! Drag and drop files AND/OR folders!!

HostGator, THANKs for your confirmation that drag&drop to newer versions of IE doesn't work!... used to work great for me, but now it just displays the jpg instead of copying it.
Appreciate your redirection to use Windows Explorer instead. Took some trial and error, but finally worked for me. Thanks! :-)

thanks cdrutau!! that's exactly the information i was looking for :)

Great info, thanks.

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