Map FTP to Local Drive Letter in Windows (How-to)

A few days ago, I setup an FTP file server on a Windows 7 Pro based computer by using the Filezilla Server software. After the setup, I went to the workstations in order to connect them to the shared FTP network folder by using the "Add a network location" wizard and I realized that, there is no way to assign/map a local drive letter to the FTP Web drive in Windows, unless you use a third party program.

Related Article: How to Setup FTP Server with FileZilla Server..

After doing some research on the Web – finally – I found the Free FTPUSE program, that helped me to map a local drive letter to the FTP Shared folder. But the problem with the FTPUSE command is that the mapping is not permanent (the FTP drive mapping is lost after a restart). So, I decided to write this tutorial with detailed instructions on how you can mount a drive letter to an FTP Web drive by using a Free FTPUSE application and then make this connection permanent.

How to Assign a Drive Letter to an FTP Share (FTP MAPPING).

Part 1. How to Map FTP to Local Drive Letter with FTPUSE.

Part 2. Make FTPUSE Drive Mapping Permanent.

Part 1. How to Assign/MAP a drive letter to FTP Share using FTPUSE.

Notice: If you look for a program that can help you to map an FTP Network Location to a local drive and then to open/save files straight to the FTP location, then use WebDrive.

Step 1. Download FTPUSE application (command).

The FTPUSE command is a free application that was designed by Ferro Software and helps you to map a remote FTP Share (FTP Server) as a local drive, so you can use the FTP server of your choice as a local hard drive. FTPUSE is a free application which was developed during production of the endpoint backup solution Ferro Backup System, but disks mapped using FTPUSE can be accessed by any application (e.g. Windows Explorer, Total Commander, MS-DOS command shell).

1. Download and install FTPUSE application.

2. Accept the license agreement and press Next.

3. Follow the onscreen prompts to install the FtpUse command on your system and at the end click Finish and launch the ftpuse command in order to map a drive letter to the FTP file Server. (Step 2)

Step 2. Use FtpUse command to assign a drive letter to your FTP SHare.

1. Open an Administrator command prompt.

2. At the command prompt use the following syntax* to map the FTP Share to a Drive Letter:

* Note: The FTPUSE command syntax is similar to NET USE command syntax.

FTPUSE Syntax:

• FTPUSE DriveLetter: FtpHostName/RemotePath Password

FTPUSE Paramenters:

/USER:username
/NOPASSIVE
/OWNERACCESSONLY
/PORT:portnumber
/HIDE
/DEBUG
/DELETE]

Examples:

1. To assign the letter "F:" to the FTP Server "ftp.ServerName.com" give the following command:

• FTPUSE F: ftp.ServerName.com

2. To execute the FTPUSE command in the background, type:

• FTPUSE F: ftp.ServerName.com /HIDE

3. To delete the mapped disk drive F:, type:

• FTPUSE F: /DELETE

4. To assign the local drive letter "F: to an FTP Server with IP address "192.168.1.200" for the FTP user "Admin" with user password "123456", give the following command:

• FTPUSE F: 192.168.1.200 123456 /USER:Admin

After executing the FTPUSE command you should see in Windows Explorer that a new drive F: has been created which points to your FTP Server with IP Address 192.168.1.200.

Part 2. Make FTPUSE Drive Mapping Permanent.

The FTPUSE command works perfectly to map a network FTP share as a local disk drive but there is a disadvantage: You cannot make this connection permanent, because if you restart the workstation (on which you executed the FTPUSE command), the connection will be lost.

And here is coming the solution to bypass this problem:

Step 1. Create a BATCH (.bat) file that contains the FTPUSE command.

In order to create a .bat file with the FTPUSE command:

1. Open Notepad and type in it the FTPUSE command that you want to use:

e.g. FTPUSE F: 192.168.1.200 123456 /USER:Admin /HIDE

2. Then go to File > Save As and…

a. Specify a new location to save the new file (e.g. at "Documents" folder).

b. Type a filename (e.g. ftpuse) and add the extension .bat at the end of the filename. (e.g. "ftpuse.bat").

c. Click Save (and close Notepad).

Step 2. Create a new Task for the FTPUSE command.

Now it's time to create a new scheduled task (with administrative privileges) in order to run the created batch file at Windows Startup. So let's start:

1. Open Task Scheduler. To do that:

a. Click the Start button and at search box type: task scheduler

b. Open the Task Scheduler item from the results.

2. From the right pane select the Create Task option.

3. At General tab:

A. Type a name for the new task (e.g. "FTPUSE") and select the "Run with highest privileges" checkbox.

B. Then click the Change User or Group button.

C. At "Enter the object name to select" box, type SYSTEM and click OK.

4. Then select the Actions Tab.

5. At Actions tab, click the New button.

6. Click Browse and select the BATCH file you created previously (e.g. the "ftpuse.bat"). Click OK when finished.

7. Then go to Triggers tab and click New in order to specify when the new task to run.

8. At this case we want to run our FTPUSE BATCH file at Windows startup. So, at "Begin the task" options, select At startup and then click OK twice to exit.

9. Now your newly created task should be listed at Task Scheduler Library.

10. Close Task Scheduler and Restart your computer to apply the changes.

That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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