How to Set Up and Use CoreFTP Client
Learn how to set up and use Core FTP on Windows for secure website file transfers. Configure FTP, FTPS, or SFTP, enter cPanel credentials, upload and download files, manage directories and permissions, save site profiles, and troubleshoot connection problems.
CoreFTP
CoreFTP is a lightweight Windows FTP client. The free LE edition supports FTP, FTPS, and SFTP for transfers to a cPanel-hosted server. Download it from coreftp.com.
Why Choose CoreFTP?
Free LE
Small installer, Windows XP and later. Use Custom setup and skip bundled extras.
Secure protocols
FTP, FTPS, and SSH/SFTP. Prefer FTPS or SFTP. FTP vs SFTP vs FTPS
Site Manager
Saved profiles, dual-pane transfers, resume, and bandwidth limits.
Automation
Command-line transfers; scheduling and extra compression are Pro features. Automating File Transfers
Prerequisites
- 1FTP or SSH account: FTP/FTPS uses a cPanel FTP login. SFTP needs SSH. Create an FTP Account
- 2CoreFTP LE from coreftp.com
- 3Server details: hostname or IP, username, password, port 21 (FTP/FTPS) or 22 (SFTP) unless the host specifies another port.
Download and Install
- Download CoreFTP LE (32-bit or 64-bit) from the official site.
- Run the installer. Choose Custom and decline extra offers.
- Launch CoreFTP from the Start menu or a desktop shortcut.
Configure a Connection
- Open CoreFTP.
- Sites → Site Manager or Ctrl+S.
- Click New Site and name it.
- Host, username (complete FTP user such as
user@yourdomain.com, or the SSH user for SFTP), password, and port. - Connection type: FTP, FTPS, or SSH/SFTP. For SFTP, use the SSH options in Advanced if required.
- Passive mode for FTP/FTPS. Optional home directory such as
/public_html. For FTPS use AUTH TLS. - Click Connect, then save the site.
- Drag files between the local (left) and server (right) panes. Right-click to rename, delete, or set permissions.
CoreFTP LE is enough for most site work. Pro adds scheduling, OpenPGP, and zip compression.
Security
- Prefer FTPS or SFTP. Avoid plain FTP. Securing FTP Transfers
- Restrict extra FTP accounts to a folder such as
/public_html. - A separately created FTP account does not automatically have SFTP access. Using SFTP with cPanel
Troubleshooting
| Issue | What to try |
|---|---|
| Connection failures | Check hostname, port, username, and protocol. Use Passive mode. Connection troubleshooting |
| Could not connect (FTPS/SFTP) | FTPS: AUTH TLS. SFTP: SSH port and SSH-enabled username. |
| Slow transfers | Adjust bandwidth limits and check the network. |
| Permission errors | Files 644, directories 755 in File Manager. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CoreFTP available for macOS or Linux?
No. CoreFTP is a Windows FTP client. On a Mac use Cyberduck, Commander One, Fetch, or FileZilla. On Linux use FileZilla or the command-line sftp tool when SSH is enabled. If you work on more than one operating system, FileZilla is the simpler shared choice. Platform options are compared in choosing an FTP client.
Do I need CoreFTP Pro, or is the free LE edition enough?
CoreFTP LE is enough for most cPanel uploads if you only need FTP, FTPS, or SFTP, a Site Manager profile, drag-and-drop, and transfer resume. Pro adds scheduled unattended transfers, extra compression, and other advanced tools. Start with LE from the official CoreFTP site. Upgrade only if you need a scheduler or command-line jobs that LE does not cover. Download from the developer and skip bundled extras during setup.
How do I save a cPanel login in CoreFTP Site Manager?
Open Sites → Site Manager or press Ctrl+S, click New Site, and enter the hostname from your host. Use the complete username, such as user@yourdomain.com, plus the password. Choose FTPS with AUTH TLS for an extra FTP account, or SSH/SFTP when SSH is enabled. Set Passive mode, optionally set the home directory to public_html, then Connect and save the profile. Create the login first with an FTP account in cPanel.
Which CoreFTP connection type should I pick for encryption?
Avoid plain FTP for website files. For a separately created cPanel FTP user, choose FTPS and AUTH TLS under Advanced → SSL/TLS, usually on port 21. For the primary account with SSH enabled, choose SSH/SFTP on port 22 and enable Putty-compatible SFTP in Advanced → SSH if the client requires it. Protocol differences are covered in FTP vs SFTP vs FTPS.
Can an extra cPanel FTP account sign in with SFTP in CoreFTP?
Usually no. Extra FTP accounts are built for FTP or FTPS and do not automatically receive SSH. If SSH/SFTP fails with that username, edit the Site Manager profile to FTPS instead. Use SFTP with the main cPanel username only after the host turns SSH on. Connection steps for SSH are in using SFTP with cPanel.
Can CoreFTP schedule or script file transfers?
Yes, with limits by edition. The client supports command-line transfers, and CoreFTP Pro adds scheduled unattended jobs. That is useful for a nightly copy into a backup folder, as long as the saved site uses FTPS or SFTP. Keep the password out of the web root and test one manual run first. Automation ideas are in automating file transfers.
How does CoreFTP compare with FileZilla or WinSCP?
CoreFTP is a small Windows client with a traditional Site Manager and optional Pro scheduling. FileZilla is free and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. WinSCP is the stronger free Windows choice for synchronization, scripting, and SSH keys. Pick CoreFTP if you want a lightweight Windows program and already like its layout. See FileZilla setup and WinSCP setup for those alternatives.
Why does CoreFTP fail to list directories on FTPS?
The usual fixes are Passive mode, AUTH TLS, the complete username, and port 21. Firewalls often block FTP data ports even when the password is accepted. Confirm the hostname matches what your host lists for certificates. Then retry. If listings still fail and SSH is available, switch that site profile to SFTP. A short primer is what FTP is used for, with more articles on the blog index.
FTP Tutorials and How-To Articles
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