Top 10 Tips to Get the Most from Core FTP ProCore FTP Pro is a powerful, Windows-based FTP/SFTP client that packs advanced features for secure file transfers, automation, and site management. Whether you’re a web developer, system administrator, or power user, mastering Core FTP Pro can save time, increase security, and streamline your workflow. Here are the top 10 tips to help you get the most from Core FTP Pro.
1. Use SFTP/FTPS for Secure Transfers
Always prefer secure protocols. SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) and FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS) encrypt file data and credentials to protect transfers from eavesdropping and tampering. Configure your server connection to use these protocols rather than plain FTP whenever the server supports them.
- In the Site Manager, choose SFTP or FTPES (explicit FTPS).
- Verify certificate fingerprints when prompted to avoid man-in-the-middle attacks.
- For SFTP, use key-based authentication for stronger security (see tip 4).
2. Store Sites Safely with Site Manager
Site Manager in Core FTP Pro lets you save connection settings for quick access.
- Save hostnames, ports, usernames, and preferred protocols.
- Use descriptive site names and group sites into folders for organization.
- Enable the “Use Passive Mode” option if you encounter firewall/NAT issues.
3. Automate Routine Transfers with Scheduled Tasks
Core FTP Pro supports scripting and scheduled transfers, which is ideal for backups, deployments, and regular syncs.
- Create scripts for common tasks (upload/download/mirror).
- Use the built-in scheduler to run scripts at fixed intervals or specific times.
- Test scripts manually before scheduling to confirm they behave as expected.
4. Use SSH Keys for SFTP Authentication
Public/private key authentication is more secure than passwords.
- Generate an SSH key pair (RSA/ED25519 recommended) using a tool like PuTTYgen or ssh-keygen.
- Upload the public key to your server’s authorized_keys.
- Configure Core FTP Pro to use the private key for the site entry to enable passwordless, secure logins.
5. Take Advantage of the Sync and Mirror Features
Keep local and remote directories synchronized using sync and mirror tools.
- Use Mirror to make the remote site replicate your local folder exactly.
- Use Sync to perform two-way comparisons and transfer only newer or missing files.
- Preview operations before committing to avoid accidental deletions.
6. Optimize Transfers with Concurrent Connections and Threading
Speed up large transfers by increasing simultaneous connections, where supported by the server.
- In connection settings, adjust the number of concurrent file transfers (threads).
- Be cautious: too many connections can overload the server or trigger rate limits.
- Combine concurrency with transfer resuming for robust large-file handling.
7. Use File Masks and Filters to Target Specific Files
File masks let you include/exclude files based on patterns (e.g., *.log, *.tmp).
- Define masks for upload/download to avoid transferring unnecessary files.
- Use exclusion masks during mirrors to keep caches or local config files out of deployments.
- Save commonly used masks as presets for reuse.
8. Leverage Transfer Logs for Troubleshooting and Auditing
Core FTP Pro keeps detailed logs of sessions and transfers.
- Enable verbose logging when diagnosing connection or permission issues.
- Archive logs for audit trails, especially for production deployments.
- Use timestamps and session IDs in logs to correlate with server-side records.
9. Customize the Interface and Keyboard Shortcuts
A personalized interface speeds up repetitive actions.
- Arrange panes, toolbars, and columns to prioritize the information you use.
- Configure keyboard shortcuts for frequent commands like upload, download, and reconnect.
- Save layout preferences if you work across multiple machines.
10. Keep Core FTP Pro and Your Server Tools Updated
Regular updates ensure you have the latest security fixes and protocol support.
- Check for Core FTP Pro updates periodically or enable auto-update if available.
- Keep server-side FTP/SFTP services and TLS libraries up to date.
- Test major updates in a staging environment before applying them to production.
Core FTP Pro is a feature-rich client — these tips will help you secure transfers, automate workflows, and optimize performance. Combine secure authentication, automation, and careful configuration to make file management reliable and efficient.
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