"Offering free computer help, hints, and tips to the Internet populace." Now with over 3,820 tips!

Microsoft Internet Explorer 8

Unable to Browse FTP Sites as Folders in Explorer

SUMMARY: If you cannot access FTP sites through Explorer windows, ensure a configuration option has not been unchecked.

Internet Explorer 8 lets you access FTP sites inside folders in Explorer, providing a familiar interface to browse directories and drag-and-drop files to download or upload them from or to remote computers. If this feature does not work in that opening an FTP site, for example ftp://ftp.adobe.com, from the Windows Start Menu opens Internet Explorer instead of a folder in Explorer, make sure a configuration option has not been changed.

1. Access the Internet Options dialog box. If the menu bar is visible, you can select "Tools" - "Internet Options". If the Command Bar is visible, click the "Tools" button and select "Internet Options". If neither are available, try typing Alt + T then O.

Accessing Internet Explorer 8 options via the Command Bar

2. When the "Internet Options" dialog box appears, click the "Advanced" tab.

3. Underneath "Settings", scroll down underneath "Browsing" to "Enable FTP folder view (outisde of Internet Explorer)". Check this box.

Enabling FTP folder view via Internet Explorer 8

4. Click "OK" to close the dialog box and store your settings.

Viewing an FTP site outside of Internet Explorer inside a folder in Windows Explorer