# How to Install FTP on Windows Server 2012 R2

> URL: https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/how-to-install-ftp-windows-server-2012/ | Published: 2015-02-25 | Updated: 2026-03-03 | Author: Atlantic.Net NOC

##### Verified and Tested 02/25/2015

### **Introduction**

We will show you how to install FTP on a Windows Server 2012 R2.

### Prerequisites

- Windows server with IIS – take a look at our helpful how-to on [installing IIS on your Windows Server](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/how-to-install-iis-windows-server-2012-r2/). If you need a server, you can spin up a [Windows VPS Hosting](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/) server in under 30 seconds with Atlantic.Net.

## Installing FTP on Windows Server 2012 R2

Open Server Manager by going to Start>Administrative Tools>Server Manager.

![Open Server Manager](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows1.png)

*Server Manager*

In Server Manager, click on **Add Roles and Features**.

![Add Roles and Features](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows2.png)

*Add Roles and Features*

The Add Roles and Features wizard should open. Click **Next** on the Before you begin section.

Make sure **Role-based or feature-based installation** is selected in the Installation Type Section, then click **Next.**

![Select Role-based or features based installation](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows3.png)

*Installation Type*

Make sure **Select a server from the server pool** is selected. **Select your server in the server pool section**. Once done, click **Next**.

![Select your server](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows4.png)

*Server Selection*

Scroll down and click on the arrow next to **Web Server (IIS)**. Check **FTP Server** and click **Next**.

![Under Server Roles select FTP Server](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows5.png)

*Server Roles*

Select any additional features you want installed. Once done, click **Next**.

![Select any additional features you want installed. Once done, click Next.](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows6.png)

*Features*

Review what is being installed. Once ready, click **Install**.

![Confirm Installation](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows7.png)

*Confirm*

You should then see a progress bar. Once complete, click **Close**.

![Results Pane](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows8.png)

*Results Pane*

Now FTP is installed. You can not yet connect to your Web Site via FTP. Next, you will need to Add a FTP Publishing to your site.

Open IIS, expand your computer, expand Sites, right click on your Web Site and then click on **Add FTP Publishing…**

![Open IIS, expand your computer, expand Sites, right click on your Web Site and then click on Add FTP Publishing](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows9.png)

*IIS Manager*

Once the Add FTP Site Wizard comes up:

- Choose an IP address for your FTP site from the IP address drop-down, or choose to accept the default selection of “All Unassigned.”
- Normally, you would enter the TCP/IP port for the FTP site in the port box. For this how-to, choose to accept the default port of 21.
- For this how-to, we will not use a host name, so make sure that the Virtual Host box is blank.
- Make sure that the Certificates drop-down is set to “Not Selected” and that the No SSL option is selected.
- When you have completed these items, click Next.

![Bindings and SSL Settings](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows10.png)

*Bindings and SSL Settings*

On the Authentication and Authorization Information page:

- Select Basic for the Authentication settings.
- For the Authorization settings:
  - Choose “Specified users” from the Allow access to drop-down
  - Type “administrator” for the user name.
  - Select Read and Write for the Permissions option.
- When you have completed these items, click Finish.

![Authentication and Authorization Information](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows11.png)

*Authentication and Authorization Information*

Last thing to make sure is if your Windows Firewall has a rule set for FTP default port 21.

Open Windows Firewall with Advanced Security by going to Start>Administrative Tools>Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

![Windows Firewall and Advanced Security](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows12.png)

*Administrative Tools*

Once opened, click on **Inbound Rules**and then click on **New Rule**under the Actions Pane.

![Windows Firewall and Advanced Security](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows13.png)

*Windows Firewall and Advanced Security*

The New Inbound Rule Wizard will pop up. You will select Port and click Next.

![New Inbound Rule Wizard Ports](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows14.png)

*New Inbound Rule Wizard*

Since this is for the default port 21 for FTP, we will use the **TCP** protocol and 21 for the **Specific local ports**. Once done, click Next.

![Since this is for the default port 21 for FTP, we will use the TCP protocol and 21 for the Specific local ports. ](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows15.png)

*New Inbound Rule Wizard*

In the Action page, we will select to **Allow the connection** and click Next.

![Select to Allow the connection and click Next](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows16.png)

*New Inbound Rule Wizard*

The next page is the **Profile** page, which we will check all the boxes and then click Next.

![Check all the boxes and then click Next](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows17.png)

*New Inbound Rule Wizard*

On the Last page, you will need to select a name for the new rule. Here, we will name it “FTP” and then click Finish.

![Select a name for the new rule](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows18.png)

*New Inbound Rule Wizard*

Now the firewall rule has been added for the default port 21. We can now test FTP connection to the Web Site. In this how-to, I will use FileZilla to show connection but there are many FTP clients out there to download.

With FileZilla, we will need to fill in the Host/IP Address, Username, Password and Port # to connect. Earlier, I set up FTP to use a specific user (administrator) and also used the default FTP port 21. Once you hit Connect, you will be connected to your Web Site via FTP!

![2015-02-25 22_03_57-New site 6 - administrator@69.28.94.13 - FileZilla](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ftpwindows19.png)

Thank you for reading! Be sure to check back for more updates, and to learn more about our [VPS hosting](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/) solutions and [Virtual private servers](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/).