Mastering FTP file uploads can empower WordPress beginners, giving them greater flexibility and autonomy over their website’s file management. This guide provides step-by-step instructions using WinSCP, one of the most user-friendly FTP clients. Navigating FTP quickly is essential for website customization, whether you want to edit themes, upload plugins, or manage files securely. By following this guide, you’ll gain confidence in managing your WordPress files without relying solely on the admin panel.
What is FTP?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. A standard network protocol transfers files between your computer (the client) and your WordPress website (the server) using FTP. It lets users securely upload, download, and manage files on a remote server. An FTP client like WinSCP lets you directly access your website files and directories, giving you more control over updates, backups, and customizations outside the WordPress admin panel. To create an FTP connection, you’ll need FTP credentials (such as hostname, username, password, and port) provided by your web hosting provider, which you can then use to set up the connection in an FTP client. This is very useful for handling large files, debugging issues, or managing plugins and themes manually.
Boost Your Website Security
The Benefits of Using SFTP and Strong Passwords for Safe File Transfers
We recommend using SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) instead of traditional FTP for improved security. SFTP encrypts the transferred data between your computer and the remote server, preventing unauthorized access or interception. This added layer of protection keeps sensitive information, like login credentials and files, safe from cyber threats. Additionally, using strong passwords for your FTP accounts is crucial to safeguard your website files and server access. A strong password should combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to protect your system better. Employing SFTP and strong passwords together is especially useful when handling large files, debugging issues, or manually managing plugins and themes, as it provides a more secure and reliable connection. These practices help ensure your connection remains private and your website protects against potential security risks.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using FTP to upload files in WordPress
Let’s begin our step-by-step guide. We’ll keep everything simple so it’s easy to follow. Whether you’re doing this for the first time or you’ve done it before, this guide will take you through each step clearly and easily. Let’s get started and make everything simple for you!
How to Download and Install WinSCP for FTP File Uploads
To upload files to WordPress using FTP, first download and install WinSCP. Start by clicking the provided link to access the WinSCP download page. Next, hit the ‘Download Latest Version for Windows’ button to get the software. Once the download is finished, open the file to install WinSCP on your computer. This setup helps you transfer files from your device to WordPress quickly.
How to Open and Login to WinSCP for FTP Access
After installing WinSCP, you must open the program and enter your login details. Start by typing in your hostname, followed by the correct port number. Then, input your username and password in the given fields. Once you fill in all the details, Click the ‘Login‘ button to access your WordPress site’s dashboard. This step lets you access and upload files to your website.
Confirm Your Connection in WinSCP
Once you have logged in, you will see that your connection has been established successfully. The WinSCP window will display the remote server files on one side and your local files on the other. This setup means you are connected and ready to upload files to your WordPress website. Make sure the server address appears correctly to confirm your connection.
Access the Public_HTML Folder in WinSCP
-To start uploading files to your WordPress website, locate the ‘public_html’ folder in WinSCP. This folder contains all your website’s central files. Click on ‘public_html’ to access it. Once inside, you can add or manage your WordPress site’s files. This step helps you navigate the core files of your website.
Open the WP_Content Folder in WinSCP
Inside the ‘public_html’ folder, find the ‘wp_content’ folder and click on it. This is where your WordPress themes, plugins, and uploads are stored. Accessing the ‘wp_content’ folder allows you to manage media files, update plugins, or edit themes directly. It’s an essential area for making changes to your WordPress website.
Access the Themes Folder in WinSC
Inside ‘wp_content,’ locate the ‘Themes’ folder and click on it. This folder contains all the themes installed on your WordPress website. You can add new themes, edit existing ones, or remove themes if needed. It’s a valuable place to make changes to the look and feel of your website.
Open the Twenty Twenty Two Theme Folder in WinSCP
Look for the ‘twenty twenty-two’ folder in the Themes folder and click on it. This folder contains the files for the Twenty Twenty-two theme on your WordPress website. You can edit or customize theme files to match your website design. Use this folder to make changes to this specific WordPress theme.
Download the functions.php File in WinSCP.
Find it in the theme folder to edit or back up the ‘functions.php’ file. Right-click on ‘functions.php’ and select ‘Download’ from the menu. This action will save a copy of the file to your computer. The ‘functions.php’ file lets you make essential changes to your WordPress theme functionality. Downloading it enables you to work safely without creating issues with your live website.
Download the File to the Local Directory in WinSCP
Once you click ‘Download,’ a prompt will appear, allowing you to choose the local folder where you want to save the file. Confirm the location, then click ‘OK’ to download the functions.php file to your computer. This action creates a backup of the file in your local directory, allowing you to edit or review it safely before making any changes to your WordPress site.
Check if the File Downloaded Successfully in WinSCP
After clicking ‘OK,’ verify that your functions.php file has been downloaded to your local folder. You can find it in the specified directory on your computer. This final step confirms that you have a backup of the file and can now make changes safely without risking your live website.
Open Your Downloaded File in Notepad++ for Editing
Go to the directory where the functions.php file was downloaded. Right-click the file and choose the option ‘Edit with Notepad++. ‘ This option allows you to open the file in Notepad++, a program for making code edits quickly and safely. Using Notepad++, you can modify the file and save changes before uploading it to your WordPress website.
Edit and Save the functions.php File in Notepad++
Open your functions.php file in Notepad++ and make the necessary edits. Once you’ve finished, press Ctrl + S on your keyboard to save the changes. This step is essential for applying new features or fixes to your WordPress theme without risking mistakes. After saving, you can upload the updated file to your WordPress website.
Upload the Updated functions.php File in WinSCP.
After making your edits, find the functions.php file in your local directory. Right-click the file and select ‘Upload’ from the menu. This action will replace the old file on your WordPress website with the updated version. Please double-check your changes before uploading to keep your website dashing.
Complete the Upload to Remote Directory in WinSCP
After selecting ‘Upload,’ a confirmation window will pop up. Click ‘OK’ to upload the updated functions.php file to your remote server. This final step replaces the old file on your WordPress website, applying all your changes. Review your work before clicking ‘OK’ to keep everything working correctly.
Confirm Overwrite of Remote File in WinSCP
When you see this message asking to overwrite the remote file, click ‘Yes’ to confirm. This will replace the old functions.php file on your WordPress server with the new one. Confirming the overwrite is essential to apply your changes successfully. Double-check the file name and click ‘Yes’ only when you know your edits.
Verify File Overwritten Successfully in WinSCP
After confirming the overwrite, check the file’s details to ensure you have replaced it. Look for the updated date and file size to verify that the new functions.php file is now on your WordPress server. This final check ensures you have placed your changes and updated your website with the latest code.
Navigate to the Main Directory to Upload Plugins in WinSCP
If you need to upload a plugin outside the WordPress admin area, start by clicking on the ‘..’ icon to navigate to the leading directory. This step takes you out of the current folder and into a higher-level directory where you can access the plugin folder. This approach is helpful for manually adding plugins using FTP.
Access the Plugins Folder in WinSCP
To upload a plugin, find and click on the ‘plugins’ folder within wp_content. This folder holds all the plugins installed for your WordPress website. By entering this folder, you can manually upload new plugins using FTP or manage the ones you’ve already installed. This gives you more control over your website features.
Add Your Plugin to the Plugins Folder in WinSCP
To add a plugin, first download the plugin you want to use. Then, drag and drop the plugin’s folder into the ‘plugins’ directory within wp_content in WinSCP. This method lets you manually upload plugins to your WordPress website using FTP. Adding the plugin folder here lets you activate it through your WordPress admin panel later.
Upload the All-In-One SEO Plugin in WinSCP
To upload the All In One SEO plugin, right-click on its folder in your local directory. Then, choose ‘Upload’ from the menu. This action adds the plugin to your WordPress plugins folder on the remote server. You are uploading and activating the plugin in the WordPress admin panel to boost your site’s SEO.
Confirm the Upload of All In One SEO Plugin in WinSCP
After selecting ‘Upload,’ a window showing the destination path will open. Click ‘OK’ to upload the All In One SEO plugin to your remote server. This step finalizes the upload process and adds the plugin to your WordPress plugins directory. Once the upload is complete, you can activate the plugin through your WordPress admin panel.
Open WordPress Dashboard to Access Installed Plugins
To activate your new plugin, open your WordPress dashboard. Go to the Plugins section in the sidebar and click ‘Installed Plugins.’ This will display all the plugins currently added to your website. You can activate or manage the plugins from here to improve your website features and performance.
Verify Successful Plugin Upload in WordPress
After navigating to Installed Plugins, you will see your newly uploaded All In One SEO Pro plugins list. This confirms that you successfully uploaded the plugin to your WordPress website. From here, click ‘Activate’ to enable the plugin and start using its features. This final step ensures your plugin is ready and fully integrated with your WordPress setup.
Conclusion:
Using WinSCP for FTP allows you to upload files efficiently, manage plugins, and edit themes on your WordPress website. This approach offers greater flexibility and ensures your site operates smoothly by providing direct access to essential files and directories. Always verify your changes to maintain security and optimization after updating your functions.php file or adding new plugins. Following these steps, you can easily manage tasks and customize your WordPress site, keeping it secure, up-to-date, and running seamlessly.
About Author
This article was written by Haider Aftab Abbasi. If you’re looking for more insightful content or professional collaborations, feel free to connect with Haider on LinkedIn using the provided link.
