FTP behaviour in IE7

This will take a little getting used to.  Some people are missing the change, and thinking IE is broken, or that folder FTP views have been removed from IE7... well they have, kind of...

When you try to access an FTP site such as ftp://username:password@myftpsite/ IE will try to display the FTP site in an HTML view.

If you want to view the site in folder view, you will need to access it via Windows Explorer using the Page menu item available in IE7.

 

This option will *only* appear if Enable FTP folder view (outside of Internet Explorer) is enabled.

 

From within Windows Explorer you may need to do the following.  Click on File, select Login As:

Which will bring up this window:

Also you can open Windows Explorer enter ftp://username:password@example.com into the Address Bar.

Or you can try this:


Published Sun, Jul 2 2006 12:49 by sandi
Filed under:

Comments

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, July 26, 2006 9:14 AM by Kent Heitkamp
I tried this and got a message saying "This FTP site can not be opened in Windows Explorer". I get this with all the sites I tried. I have the option checked to Enable FTP folder view.


Kent Heitkamp
kenthe@osas.com

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Thursday, July 27, 2006 10:59 AM by Terri Fazo
I am having the same problem.  After installing Beta 7 and doing the above instructions, I cannot access my ftp site.  I uninstalled IE Beta 7 and went back to 6 and now I can't access it from 6 either!  Very frustrating!

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Friday, July 28, 2006 1:56 PM by Martin Murphy
I see the same results after I upgraded to IE 7 Beta 3.  This is very inhibiting for many of my users, and I hope that a change is made before the real release of this program.  At this point in time I would just be happy to go back to Beta 2 when it did work.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, August 02, 2006 11:20 AM by Kevin Carlson
I cannot get a secure FTP site working with IE7 beta2 either.  Luckily it works in Windows Explorer just fine.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Sunday, August 06, 2006 7:15 PM by r. g. kraft
I had beta 2 and could open ftp sites in Windows Explorer.  In Beta 3 even Windows Explorer does not work and I use a second computer with Beta 2 and email the files to my other mahcine.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Tuesday, August 08, 2006 4:59 PM by Mudcon
has anyone figured the ftp thing out.  It worked fine for me in beta 2 and now beta 3 does as stated above.  PLEASE HELP. lol

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Saturday, August 12, 2006 4:04 PM by Starb

Can't evebn find the bloody Page menu!  Where is it?

Sandi says:  Look at the screenshot in my blog post or press the Alt key to open the Menu Bar.  You can familiarise yourself further with IE7 by reviewing the information at www.ie-vista.com

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 9:56 AM by Murphy
enable FTP is checked, and I believe is on by default in IE7 Beta 3. I still cannot access FTP through IE. I do not have the option as seen above for "Open FTP Site in Windows Explorer"

this is an issue that needs to be resolved, as well as the GUI customization.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 1:12 PM by MB
I also cannot get the folder view to work, nor even open files from the view that does appear.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, September 13, 2006 5:47 AM by Lou
i cant get it to work either. I have IE 7 RC1 and those options are ticked......

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, September 20, 2006 5:07 AM by Tom
Me too Lou. Problem continues into IE 7RC1. Why are MS doing nothing about it? This is a big step back in functionality. Tom

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Friday, September 29, 2006 4:09 PM by John K
I have it to. I tried to go back to IE 6 and that worked but FTP quit working there as well. I went back to IE 7 RC1 and it is the same.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Monday, October 02, 2006 5:55 AM by Rinus
Same problem here.... Luck that i have not "upgraded" at least one PC, so i can still use FTP like i am used to. The manual does not work for me (cannot be opened by explorer error)

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, October 11, 2006 8:44 AM by Darren M

We use FTP to allow our customers to upload files up to 4GB in size or more.  Currently, it's dead simple, open the ftp URL, drag & drop your file, DONE.

As of the Release Candidate of IE 7, that same FTP site that works just fine with all other versions of IE / Windows now says "This FTP Site cannot be viewed in Windows Explorer".

Doing this effectively kills the feature to do drag & drop FTP uploads.

The automatic updates of this to our clients is going to cause nightmares for our support department who are now going to have to explain to end users how to use COMMAND LINE FTP (which seems to be the only thing left in the OS that still works) how to issue the stack of commands necessary to upload a file.

This is insane.

Sandi: Did you file a bug about this? 

Note that the IE Blog provides instructions about preventing the installation of IE7.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Thursday, October 19, 2006 2:00 PM by Ryan
Hit the alt tab in the new release of IE 7 and the old file menu will show up. I still can't get ftp://username:password@xxxx to work.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Thursday, October 19, 2006 2:41 PM by Eric
I just installed IE 7 the full release and it still does not work.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Thursday, October 19, 2006 8:53 PM by James
I can confirm that this is the case for RTM Version (XP SP2) - No "login as" and Open in Windows Explorer produces an error. IE7 on Vista RC1 can open the same sites, and "Login As" does exist.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 4:43 PM by aws
This FTP procedure in IE7 is far too fiddly. Where you could get straight in with IE6 you now have to click the page icon and select "Open this folder in Windows Explorer". That's not the only thing either, when closing down it now asks, "Do you want to close all tabs?" and you have to click yet another button. Instead of getting quicker and more intuitive it's doing exactly the opposite. It seems MS are copying Opera which has tabs but at least it keeps them available until you close them down, even after closing down and switching off the PC. That's better but I still think IE6 is the most satisfactory version though.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Friday, October 27, 2006 9:52 AM by Kent
I installed the general release of IE7 and mine is still broken. I installed general release on another computer that had no beta versions and the View in Windows Explorer works fine. In Windows Explorer in XP I don't get a Login As selection in the file menu, so I can't login.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Friday, October 27, 2006 3:16 PM by Peter
I see the whole FTP thing with IE7 as a bit of a security hole. Under IE6 I enter ftp://ftpsite in th address bar going to a site that doesn't use anon logon. I have a userid myuser and the ftp server has a folder myuser at ftp root. After I enter my userid and password I am logged on and I am in the myuser folder and cannot navigate upwards. When I do the same thing under IE7 I am dropped at ftp root and can see and access all the folders there. This is not what I expect to happen and I am not sure that what most FTP sites expect to happen either. Opening the FTP site via explorer appears to work correctly however as the old ie6 way is allowing you see things that you really are not meant to see it would appear to be a bit of an issue Peter

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Thursday, November 02, 2006 1:53 PM by Martin
I had the problem of my network folders disappearing from windows explorer after installing a beta version of ie7 (2 i think), and could not access my ftp sites. The solution, in the end was to uninstall ie7, then re-install ie6, after which the folders reappeared. then installing the final version of ie7 leaves the ftp folders intact.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Thursday, November 02, 2006 5:17 PM by Jay
This behaviour is STUPID.. why bother making the browser *harder* to use. It takes less time to just download firefox, which has a decent FTP client.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Friday, November 03, 2006 10:07 AM by Lawrence
I agree the issue Martin raises is disconcerting. We are experiencing the same issue. The FTP login in IE7 does not take the user to the designated folder on the site like in IE6 or in Windows Explorer. It drops them at the root of the FTP site. This is a huge security hole for us. Anyone have any suggestions on how to close/fix it?

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Friday, November 03, 2006 12:44 PM by Kevin
If you end up in an FTP folder you think you're not allowed to see then it's not the FTP client where the security hole is - it's the FTP server. You need to setup the FTP server to limit you to a certain root. On some servers this is called a "chroot jail". Peace

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Tuesday, November 07, 2006 3:40 PM by LC
"You need to setup the FTP server to limit you to a certain root." We do, and FTP login still takes you to the FTP root. It works fine in IE6, so it's NOT the FTP server.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, November 08, 2006 9:46 AM by OwenM
I just want to know why M$ did this. There doesn't seem to be any monetary gain for them. The only thing that comes to mind is that they told someone "make IE7 exactly like FireFox; that's what all the kids like these days!" Note: Firefox has a shite FTP view by default too. Haven't found a way around that either; except to install FireFTP, which runs INSIDE firefox at least. You aren't required to close your existing browser window and work in another application like the above solutions describe.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Thursday, November 09, 2006 5:06 PM by stevepow
this blows :-(

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Saturday, November 11, 2006 10:28 PM by eddunnpe

This is very disappointing.  One of the few reasons to use IE6 over Firefox was the simple way to access ftp and redirect to ftp sites within html pages.  Now it's difficult -- and for no discernable reason.  Very disappointing.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Tuesday, November 14, 2006 8:05 AM by Kennan

use FIREFOX!!!  New IE 7 sucks!!!  Firefox is so much easier to use, faster, cleaner look, more functions and the buildin FTP is awesome!!!  I stopped using IE 7 awhile back when I ran into this FTP problem.  Don't waste your time on IE anymore, use FireFox!!!

Sandi says:  D'you reckon he wants you to use Firefox? I wish he'd just come out and say it - no beating around the bush...

I lurve the Firefox fans - they have such a unique manière de parler - such culture et sophistication Wink

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, November 15, 2006 6:55 AM by Don

" Don't waste your time on IE anymore, use FireFox!!!"

Would love to - but unfortunately can't ignore the 90% of clients that still use IE and are getting automatically updated to IE7.

Sandi says:  Don, they are not "getting automatically updated".  IE will automatically *download* but will not install unless and until:

1. A user with local admin rights logs in to the computer.

2. That user clicks on "install" when advised that IE7 has been downloaded and is ready to install.  This advice window appears separately to the standing Automatic Updates window.  At that stage, the user has three options "install", "don't install" or "ask me later".

3. The user will still be prompted for permission to install, separate to the rest of the automatic updates, even if AU is set to automatically download and install updates.

In short, users will not be "automatically updated to IE7".

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 11:25 AM by Brock Jones

I've sorted through lots of posts but I cannot find anything that makes ftp accessible.  Surely MS is working on this but I can't find a cure.  I've tried everything that has been advanced in the way of fixes.....Am I missing anything...did we just quit or did someone find a fix.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 11:55 PM by jp

At first I have ftp problems with IE7. I followed the same procedure mentioned above and got the same results.  However, I did something a little bit different to make it work. Maybe it will work with you. So here you go:

1. Open IE7. Make sure that "Enable FTP folder view (outside of Internet Explorer" is checked

2. In the address bar, type ftp://whateverftpsite.com. You'll see "IE cannot display the web page"

3. Click Page Menu and select "Open FTP site in Windows Explorer". You will then see the familiar "FTP Folder Error" in a Windows Explorer window. Click OK on the FTP Folder Error.

4. Click File tabe and select "Login as"

5. Type your User name and password and click on "Log on"

I just did the above step for the third time accessing my FTP site and it works all the time.  I hope this helps.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 11:55 PM by jp

At first I have ftp problems with IE7. I followed the same procedure mentioned above and got the same results.  However, I did something a little bit different to make it work. Maybe it will work with you. So here you go:

1. Open IE7. Make sure that "Enable FTP folder view (outside of Internet Explorer" is checked

2. In the address bar, type ftp://whateverftpsite.com. You'll see "IE cannot display the web page"

3. Click Page Menu and select "Open FTP site in Windows Explorer". You will then see the familiar "FTP Folder Error" in a Windows Explorer window. Click OK on the FTP Folder Error.

4. Click File tabe and select "Login as"

5. Type your User name and password and click on "Log on"

I just did the above step for the third time accessing my FTP site and it works all the time.  I hope this helps.

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, November 22, 2006 5:01 AM by damyang

Possible workaround for IE7 users, because there is no 'Enable folder view for FTP' by default:

ftp://[user]:[password]@domain.com/folder

Note: "../folder" you wish for at the end

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, November 22, 2006 10:12 AM by FC

Why is it that the "Open FTP site in Windows Explorer" does not appear in the page listing for me?

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Wednesday, November 22, 2006 2:59 PM by Frank

WHY EVEN BOTHER WITH FTP THROUGH THE BROWSER WHEN IT IS THE WINDOWS EXPLORER THAT DOES THE FTP. PUT THE FTP ADDRESS IN THE WINDOWS EXPLORER ADDRESS BOX OR TYPE IN THE RUN COMMAND EXPLORER FTP://SOMESITE.COM

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Friday, November 24, 2006 10:58 AM by Tim Kolber

Why did MS do this. Don't they know how many people use this FTP feature and use shortcuts, etc..... This page is very helpful. You have to already go "ftp://your" info first. Then choice Page to swith out to an Exployer Window.

This is a BAD change...

TimmyK

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Monday, April 14, 2008 3:55 AM by Ahmad Abid

I tried all the above before even reading it,but nothing seems to be work right ...i think it has some missing plugin or some thing else...

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 6:50 AM by Tim Woolfson

Ask your clients to do this in IE7

Tools - Internet Options - Advanced

(To get to tools on IE7 - Alt + T)

Tick:

Enable FTP Folder view (outside of Internet Explorer)

Untick:

Use Passive FTP (for firewall and DSL modem compatability)

Click OK

Then enter:

ftp://yourservername/ in the address bar

Hope this helps,

Tim Woolfson

http://www.usefulshortcuts.com

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Friday, June 20, 2008 4:02 AM by craig gordon

IE7 Vista two steps backwards, a disaster.  What used to be simple and worked no longer does not to mention the bloat that comes with it all.  I've never had so many problems as with these two products.  Vista is a dog with fleas

I am unable to create a network location for a local network ftp site nor use windows explorer to manage files, nor upload programatically and sooo many other little (which become large) problems.  I loose so much time on these stuppid little issues and it's to the detriment of progress in my *real* work.

Come guys get it right please

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Thursday, August 14, 2008 4:26 AM by Bored

It's So boring!!

# re: FTP behaviour in IE7

Sunday, September 07, 2008 5:14 PM by Firefox... ftp ahahah

Serious? Firefox as an ftp client.. it makes IE look like a champion. Everytime I get a firefox fanatic to show me how to use ftp with firefox, ten minutes later we are still sitting there & the excuses are rolling in.

Explorer view? Copy multiple files?