Setting Up a FileZilla Server on Windows Server 2025

Requirements

  • A Windows Server 2025 VPS with Administration access
  • FileZilla Server Installer
  • Access to Windows Powershell with Administration access

Download & Install FileZilla Server

Step 1: Download FileZilla Server

Go to filezilla-project.org on your VPS, and download the FileZilla Server installer.

Step 2: Run the Installer

Run the installer, and proceed through using the default options.

Once installed, the FileZilla Server admin interface will open automatically.

Create a Transfer Folder

Before configuring the server, create a dedicated folder on your VPS to use as the file transfer destination. Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

mkdir C:\Transfers

Configure FileZilla Server

Step 1: User Account

  • In the FileZilla server admin interface, go to Server -> Configure

  • Navigate to Users in the left panel, and click Add

  • Enter a username, and set a strong password

Step 2: Setup a Mount Point

  • Under the user's Mount points section, configure the following:

FieldValue
Virtual Path/
Native PathC:\Transfers

The Native Path is the actual folder on your server where files will be stored. The Virtual Path ( / ) is what the FTP client sees as the root directory when connected.

Firewall Configuration

Step 1: Powershell Configuration

Open Windows Powershell, and run it as Administrator, and run the following commands:

-New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "FTP" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 21 -Action Allow
-New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "FTP Passive" -Direction Inbounc -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 50000-50100 -Action Allow

Configure Passive Mode

Step 1: FileZilla Server Admin

  • Go to Server -> Configure -> FTP -> Passive mode

  • Set the Port Range to 50000 - 50100

  • Set the External IP address as your VPS's public IP address

Connect with FileZilla Client

On your local machine, open FileZilla Client and enter the following connection details:

FieldValue
HostYour VPS public IP address
UsernameThe username you created in Step 3
PasswordThe password you set in Step 3
Port21

Click Quickconnect. You should then be connected and land in the C:\Transfers folder on your VPS. You can now drag and drop files to transfer them.

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