How do I put a link on my website so that it opens up an ftp site using "Windows" Explorer?

Question

I have a website for my customers and I want them to have FTP access to my server. The problem is, a lot of them are not computer savvy. I want them to be able to click on a button on my site and WINDOWS explorer will open up with the "ftp://123.456.789" location.

What I hope should happen is that It should prompt for a username and password, which I will give my customers ahead of time. Please help, thank you in advance

Answer 1

To create an ftp link you simply use ftp location as your links href as opposed to an http location



Well apparently there is a way to launch a program on a users computer (windows explorer) using activeX:

http://www.faqts.com/knowledge_base/view.phtml/aid/23560.



It seems a little complicated and would require the user to be using Internet Explorer or have active X installed on what ever browser they are using.



In IE7 users can open their current ftp site in windows explorer by choosing that option from the page menu.



Other than the activeX route your next best bet is probably to clearly distinguish the difference between Windows Explorer, and Internet Explorer for your non computer savvy users and tell them to copy and paste (or type) the ftp address into the Windows Explorer address bar.

Answer 2

I don't think there is a command that tell the computer to open window's explorer and input the ftp site to open.

You can give instruction to open explorer, then have them to copy and paste the ftp site into the address bar.

If they don't have an address bar the have to click on rest over toolbar and click address bar.

Answer 3

Create the link just like you would a http one, just replace the http for ftp:



FTP Link



As for the username & password, you have to set that up on the backend via your site host's console or where ever they have you specify security for the site. You can also only allow one folder to be open & secure all others from viewing. Your webhost will have info on how they want you to do this.