How To Install The FTP Client Called FileZilla

Transfer Folders/Files Between Your Computer And Website (FTP Server)

In this section I will show you how to install the FTP Client (website File Transfer software) called FileZilla, currently on version 3.3.2.1 (April 2010).

Until the installation process of filezilla changes, the installation process on this web page should apply to whatever the current version of filezilla is now. If the installation process of filezilla does change I will update this web page accordingly.

What is a FTP Client?

A FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Client is basically the program that allows you to upload folders/files from your computer to your web space (public_html website folder), as well as download folders/files from your web space (public_html website folder) to your computer. This is done via the FTP Server (your web hosting provider's File Transfer computer/technolgies). Do not worry about the technicals though. To you, just think of it as the program that gets your web pages live on the internet.

GETTING STARTED

Begin by downloading the current version of FileZilla - Download the .exe (executable) file, and not the .zip (zipped/compressed) file, if you want an easy life!

Fig 1.0  Click on the .exe (executable) filezilla download link to continue

When asked if you want to RUN or SAVE the filezilla .exe file, click on the SAVE button and save the file into your DOWNLOADS folder.

Fig 1.1  Click on the SAVE button to continue

Clicking on the SAVE button will bring up the following file requester whereby you need to navigate it to the folder where you want to save the filezilla .exe file. In this example navigate it to the DOWNLOADS folder and then click on the SAVE button to actually save (download) the filezilla .exe file.

Fig 1.2  Navigate the file requester to the folder where you want to save the filezilla .exe file

Once the download has completed, open the DOWNLOADS folder and double click on the filezilla .exe file to begin the installation process.

Fig 1.3  Double click on the filezilla .exe file to begin the installation process

Double clicking on the .exe file starts the Installation Wizard, which is the step-by-step guide (set of windows) that helps you through the installation process. The first step is to click on the RUN button of the Windows Security Requester that appears. Doing so grants permission for the installation wizard to run (launch) and therefore install FileZilla.

Fig 1.4  Click on the RUN button to allow the installation of FileZilla

The first step of the installation wizard shows you the License Agreement, whereby you must agree to the Terms & Conditions in order to continue with the installation.

Fig 1.5  Click on the I AGREE button to continue

Read the License Agreement carefully. Although these tend to contain useless information, they usually explain Copyright issues or Usage issues that clarify who can use the software and who cannot. So if, for example, you are told that a certain piece of software is Free and/or Free To Use you may want to clarify this by reading the agreement. Some installation wizards do not allow you to continue, by fading out the CONTINUE button, until you have read (scrolled down) the license agreement.

When you are ready and if you agree, click on the I AGREE button to continue.

The next window that appears (below) asks you if you would like to make FileZilla available to all users of the computer or just you. For this example I have the ANYONE... option selected, but if you do not want other users of the computer to use FileZilla simply select the ONLY ME... option. Once you have made your selection click on the NEXT button to continue.

Fig 1.6  Select a different option, if need be, and then click on the NEXT button to continue

The next step is to decide which features/extras to install. Just select all the options and then click on the NEXT button to continue.

Installing extra language features for example is not going to make a big difference on your computer resources (i.e. hard drive space or memory), so there is no harm installing them.

Fig 1.7  Select the features/extras you want installing and then click on the NEXT button to continue

After deciding upon the features/extras to install the next thing the installation wizard asks you is which Destination folder you want the FileZilla files storing in (installing to).

Normally you leave this as stated in the DESTINATION FOLDER edit box, which normally states a sub-folder inside the Program Files folder, but you can change that destination folder by clicking on the BROWSE button and then navigating the BROWSE FOR FOLDER requester that appears to a folder of your choice. In this example though just leave it as it is and then click on the NEXT button to continue.

Fig 1.8  Click on the NEXT button to continue

When you have done the above click on the INSTALL button, on the next window, to begin the actual installation of FileZilla files, Windows program registration, Registration of files and so on (all happening behind the scenes).

Fig 1.9  Click on the INSTALL button to start the actual installation of FileZilla files




Fig 1.10  FileZilla files are being installed and registered with Windows




Fig 1.11  Click on the FINISH button to complete the installation process

When the installation is complete simply click on the FINISH button to complete the installation process (close down the installation wizard). You are then ready for the next step which is to set up a FTP Account (explained in the next section).