List of FTP Commands For The Microsoft Command-Line FTP Client
List of FTP Commands For The Microsoft Command-Line FTP Client
client
Command-line options
Client commands
Syntax: ! [command]
Parameter(s):
command - Specifies the command to run on the local computer. If command is omitted, the
local command prompt is displayed; type "exit" to return to ftp.
Parameter(s):
command - Specifies the name of the command about which you want a description. If command
is not specified, ftp displays a list of all commands.
append
Appends a local file to a file on the remote computer using the current file type setting.
Parameter(s):
local-file - Specifies the local file to add.
remote-file - Specifies the file on the remote computer to which local-file will be added. If
remote-file is omitted, the local filename is used for the remote filename.
ascii
Syntax: ascii
Note
FTP supports two file transfer types, ASCII and binary image. ASCII should be used when
transferring text files. See also binary.
In ASCII mode, character conversions to and from the network standard character set are
performed. For example, end-of-line characters are converted as necessary, based on the target
operating system.
bell
Toggles a bell to ring after each file transfer command is completed. By default, the bell is off.
Syntax: bell
binary
Syntax: binary
Note
FTP supports two file transfer types, ASCII and binary image. Binary should be used when
transferring executable files. In binary mode, the file is moved byte-by-byte. See also ascii.
bye
Ends the FTP session with the remote computer and exits ftp.
Syntax: bye
cd
Syntax: cd remote-directory
Parameter(s):
remote-directory - Specifies the directory on the remote computer to change to.
close
Ends the FTP session with the remote server and returns to the command interpreter.
Syntax: close
debug
Toggles debugging. When debugging is on, each command sent to the remote computer is
printed, preceded by the string --->. By default, debugging is off.
Syntax: debug
delete
Deletes a single file on a remote computer. See also mdelete, which can delete multiple files.
Parameter(s):
remote-file - Specifies the file to delete.
dir
Displays a list of a remote directory's files and subdirectories. See also mdir, which can list
multiple directories.
Syntax: dir [remote-directory] [local-file]
Parameter(s):
remote-directory - Specifies the directory for which you want to see a listing. If no directory is
specified, the current working directory on the remote computer is used.
local-file - Specifies a local file to store the listing. If not specified, output is displayed on the
screen.
disconnect
Syntax: disconnect
get
Copies a remote file to the local computer using the current file transfer type. See also mget,
which can copy multiple files.
Parameter(s):
remote-file
Specifies the remote file to copy.
local-file
Specifies the name to use on the local computer. If not specified, the file is given the remote-file
name.
glob
Toggles filename globbing. Globbing permits use of wildcard characters in local file or path
names. By default, globbing is on.
Syntax: glob
hash
Toggles hash-sign (#) printing for each data block transferred. The size of a data block is 2048
bytes. By default, hash mark printing is off.
Syntax: hash
help
Displays descriptions for ftp commands.
Parameter(s):
command - Specifies the name of the command about which you want a description. If command
is not specified, ftp displays a list of all commands.
lcd
Changes the working directory on the local computer. By default, the working directory is the
directory in which ftp was started.
Parameter(s):
directory - Specifies the directory on the local computer to change to. If directory is not
specified, the current working directory on the local computer is displayed.
literal
Sends arguments, verbatim, to the remote FTP server. A single FTP reply code is expected in
return.
Parameter(s):
argument - Specifies the argument to send to the FTP server.
ls
Parameter(s):
remote-directory - Specifies the directory for which you want to see a listing. If no directory is
specified, the current working directory on the remote computer is used.
local-file - Specifies a local file to store the listing. If not specified, output is displayed on the
screen.
mdelete
Parameter(s):
remote-files - Specifies the remote files to delete.
mdir
Displays a list of a remote directory's files and subdirectories. Mdir allows you to specify
multiple files.
Parameter(s):
remote-files - Specifies the directory for which you want to see a listing. Remote-files must be
specified; type "-" to use the current working directory on the remote computer.
local-file - Specifies a local file to store the listing. Type "-" to display the listing on the screen.
mget
Copies one or more remote files to the local computer using the current file transfer type.
Parameter(s):
remote-files - Specifies the remote file(s) to copy to the local computer.
mkdir
Parameter(s):
directory - Specifies the name of the new remote directory.
mls
Parameter(s):
remote-files - Specifies the files for which you want to see a listing. Remote-files must be
specified; type "-" to use the current working directory on the remote computer.
local-file - Specifies a local file to store the listing. Type "-" to display the listing on the screen.
mput
Copies one or more local files to the remote computer using the current file transfer type.
Parameter(s):
local-files - Specifies the local files to copy to the remote computer.
open
Parameter(s):
computer - Specifies the remote computer to connect to. Computer can be specified by IP
address or computer name (a DNS or HOSTS file must be available). If auto-login is on
(default), FTP also attempts to automatically log the user in to the FTP server (see Ftp command-
line options to disable auto-login).
port - Specifies a port number to use to contact an FTP server.
prompt
Toggles prompting. Ftp prompts during multiple file transfers to allow you to selectively retrieve
or store files; mget and mput transfer all files if prompting is turned off. By default, prompting is
on.
Syntax: prompt
put
Copies a local file to the remote computer using the current file transfer type. See also mput,
which can copy multiple files.
Parameter(s):
local-file - Specifies the local file to copy.
remote-file - Specifies the name to use on the remote computer. If not specified, the file is given
the local-file name.
pwd
quit
Ends the FTP session with the remote computer and exits ftp.
Syntax: quit
quote
Sends arguments, verbatim, to the remote FTP server. A single FTP reply code is expected in
return. Quote is identical to literal.
Parameter(s):
argument - Specifies the argument to send to the FTP server.
recv
Copies a remote file to the local computer using the current file transfer type. Recv is identical to
get.
Parameter(s):
remote-file - Specifies the remote file to copy.
local-file - Specifies the name to use on the local computer. If not specified, the file is given the
remote-file name.
remotehelp
Parameter(s):
command - Specifies the name of the command about which you want help. If command is not
specified, ftp displays a list of all remote commands.
rename
rmdir
Parameter(s):
directory - Specifies the name of the remote directory to delete.
send
Copies a local file to the remote computer using the current file transfer type. Send is identical to
put.
Parameter(s):
local-file - Specifies the local file to copy.
remote-file - Specifies the name to use on the remote computer. If not specified, the file is given
the local-file name.
status
Syntax: status
trace
Toggles packet tracing; trace displays the route of each packet when running an ftp command.
Syntax: trace
type
Note
FTP supports two file transfer types, ASCII and binary image.
ASCII should be used when transferring text files. In ASCII mode, character conversions to and
from the network standard character set are performed. For example, end-of-line characters are
converted as necessary, based on the destination's operating system.
Binary should be used when transferring executable files. In binary mode, the file is moved byte-
by-byte.
user
Parameter(s):
user-name - Specifies a user name with which to log in to the remote computer.
password - Specifies the password for user-name. If not specified, but required, ftp prompts for
the password.
account - Specifies an account with which to log on to the remote computer. If account is not
specified, but required, ftp prompts for the account.
verbose
Toggles verbose mode. If on, all ftp responses are displayed; when a file transfer completes,
statistics regarding the efficiency of the transfer are also displayed. By default, verbose is on.
Syntax: verbose