| WinSCP | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Screenshot of WinSCP 6.1 | |
| Developer | Martin Přikryl |
| Initial release | 2000 |
| Stable release | 6.5.5[1] 
/ 18 November 2025 |
| Preview release | 6.4.3-RC[2]
/ 14 March 2025 |
| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Size | 40–100 MB[3] |
| Available in | 45 languages[4] |
| Type | File Manager |
| License | GNU General Public License 3 |
| Website | winscp |
| Repository | github |
WinSCP (Windows Secure Copy)[5] is a file manager, SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), WebDAV, Amazon S3, and secure copy protocol (SCP) client for Microsoft Windows. The WinSCP project has released its source code on GitHub under an open source license, while the program itself is distributed as proprietary freeware.[6][7]
Program
Its main function is secure file transfer between a local computer and a remote server.[8] Beyond this, WinSCP offers basic file manager and file synchronization functionality. For secure transfers, it uses the Secure Shell protocol (SSH) and supports the SCP protocol in addition to SFTP.[9]
Development of WinSCP started around March 2000 and continues. Originally it was hosted by the University of Economics in Prague, where its author worked at the time. Since July 16, 2003, the program and its source code is licensed under the GNU GPL. It is hosted on SourceForge and GitHub.[10]
WinSCP is based on the implementation of the SSH protocol from PuTTY and FTP protocol from FileZilla.[11] It is also available as a plugin for Altap Salamander file manager,[12] and there exists a third-party plugin for the FAR file manager.[13]
Features
- Graphical user interface
- Translated into several languages
- Integration with Windows (drag and drop, URL, shortcut icons)
- All common operations with files, both remote and local
- Support for SFTP and SCP protocols over SSH, FTP protocol, WebDAV protocol and Amazon S3 protocol.[14]
- Batch file scripting, command-line interface, and .NET wrapper
- Can act as a remote text editor, either downloading a file to edit or passing it on to a local application, then uploading it again when updated.[15]
- Directory synchronization in several semi or fully automatic ways
- Support for SSH password, keyboard-interactive, public key, and Kerberos (GSS) authentication
- Integrates with Pageant (PuTTY authentication agent) for full support of public key authentication with SSH
- Choice of Windows File Explorer-like or Norton Commander-like interfaces
- Optionally protects stored site information with master password
- Optionally import session information from PuTTY sessions
- Able to upload files and retain associated original date/timestamps, unlike FTP clients
Apart from the standard package, three portable versions are also available: A generic package[16][18] and two customized versions for LiberKey and PortableApps.com. The portable version runs on Wine[19] on several POSIX-compliant operating systems, such as Linux, macOS, and BSD.[20]
Some older versions of the WinSCP installer included OpenCandy advertising module or bundled Google Chrome. Since version 5.5.5 (August 2014) the installer does not contain any advertisement.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ "6.5.5: Merge remote-tracking branch 'origin/translations'". 18 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ "6.4.3-RC: Merge branch 'hotfix'". 14 March 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ "WinSCP Technical Requirements :: WinSCP". winscp.net. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ^ "WinSCP Translations". winscp.net. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
- ^ "Project History :: WinSCP". winscp.net. February 16, 2023.
- ^ "License :: WinSCP". winscp.net. June 18, 2024.
- ^ "WinSCP". PCWorld. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Bisch, Patrick (2011-12-21). "How to Automatically Backup Your Web Server Files With WinSCP over FTP". HowToGeek. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
- ^ "Introducing WinSCP". winscp.net. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Project History". winscp.net. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "WinSCP Contributions". winscp.net. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "WinSCP Plugin to Altap Salamander File Manager". winscp.net. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "NetBox: SFTP/FTP/FTP(S)/SCP/WebDAV client for Far Manager". github.com. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "WinSCP 5.7 - What's New?". Retrieved 16 June 2015.
- ^ "Editing/Opening Files". winscp.net. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ a b Krause, Austin (9 March 2012). "Tired of Installing FTP Programs? Try WinSCP Portable". groovyPost. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ Neowin ·, Razvan Serea News Reporter (25 December 2024). "WinSCP 6.1: The Filezilla alternative that delivers with a major update". Neowin. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ "Portable Use". winscp.net. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "WinSCP entry on Wine AppDB". winehq.org. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
- ^ "What is Wine?". winehq.org. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
External links
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| Related topics | |||||||||||||||
- Cryptographic software
- Data synchronization
- Free file managers
- Free file transfer software
- Free FTP clients
- Free multilingual software
- Free software programmed in C++
- Orthodox file managers
- Portable software
- SSH File Transfer Protocol clients
- Utility software for Windows
- Windows-only free software
- Software using the GNU General Public License
