Access FTP Server from your browser: How to create a shortcut and access Filezilla from Windows Explorer

FileZilla Server is a free and open-source, cross-platform FTP application, consisting of FileZilla Client and FileZilla server that supports FTP and FTP over TLS which provides secure encrypted connections to the server. It supports TLS, the same level of encryption supported by your web browser, to protect your data. FileZilla Clients are available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, but the servers are available only in Windows. Both server and client support FTP and FTPS, while the clients can also connect to SFTP servers. Kindly refer to these related guides for how to connect to a FileZilla Server: How to install and configure a FileZilla Server on Windows, and how to install and configure an FTP server on Windows 10.

Having installed the FileZilla, you may see the warning meesage. Please do not fright as this is only showing you the needed information to configure your FileZilla server. For more information, please refer to the guide: Warning: FTP over TLS is not enabled, users cannot securely log in: You appear to be behind a NAT Router, please configure the passive mode settings and forward a range of ports in your router.

Part 1 – Access FTP Server from your browser (Internet Explorer, Chrome, and Firefox):

Open your Internet Explorer, chrome, or Firefox as shown below and in the address bar, type your FTP Server’s Hostname (or IP Address) and the FTP port number only if you have changed the default port (21) for FTP connections and press Enter.
– If you have changed your default port from 21, then ensure to add the port when connecting to the FTP server. However, In this case, the connection would be “ftp://192.168.xxx.xx:1889”.
– Furthermore, If you haven’t changed the default port, you can connect effortlessly by using the IP address or server name as follow: “ftp://192.168.xxx.xx:1889”.
– In my case, I am on the local server. Therefore, I will be connecting as ftp://localhost.

You will be prompted to enter your username and password as shown below. When you are done, click on Log on.
– If you wish to connect anonymously, you can also do so from this prompt.

As you can see, you are connected to the FTP Server.

Part B – Access Filezilla From Windows Explorer:

Moreover,Open your Windows Explorer, and in the address bar, type your FTP Server’s Hostname (or IP Address). Here is an example: “ftp://192.168.xxx.xx”.
– Note: If you have changed the default port (21), please also enter the default port and press Enter. E.g., “ftp://192.168.xxx.xx:1889”.
– Since I am testing on the local server, I will be connecting as ftp://localhost.

You will be prompted to enter your username and password as shown below. When you are done, click on Log on.
– If you wish to connect anonymously, you can also do so from this prompt.

As you can see, you are connected to the FTP Server.

Part 3 – Add a shortcut: If you want to add a shortcut to the FTP Shared folder into your Windows Explorer. Open my computer and Select Add network location. To do this, you can use any of the steps below. You can either right-click on “This PC” and “Add a network location” or click on This PC and select “Add a network location”.

This will open the Add Network location window. on the Welcome to the Add Network Location Wizard click next to continue.

Select choose a custom network location and click next.

Type the IP Address and the port number (only if the default FTP port was changed from 21) of your FTP Server and click next.
– I am on the local server, therefore, I will be connecting as shown below.

Please, uncheck “Log on anonymously” and eter your FTP User name and click next to proceed.

Enter a name for the new connection and click Next.

When you are done, click on Finish as shown below.

As you can see below, the new FTP network location is added in the Windows Explorer.

As you can see below, we have successfully connected to the FileZilla server via the <windows Explorer.

I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.