Open ftp port 21 on windows XP operating system

MS-Windows XP service pack 2 comes with in build firewall. If Microsoft Windows Firewall is blocking a port that is used by a service or by a program, you can configure the Windows Firewall to create an exception. Windows Firewall may be blocking a program or a service if Programs do not respond to a client's request or you do not get data from server.

Open ftp port 21
To open ftp port 21 you need to change windows firewall settings.
Click on Start > Settings > Control Panel > Click on Security center

At the bottom window (Manage security setting for:) you will see Windows Firewall option. Click on this option. It will open Windows Firewall dialog box:

Select Exception tab > Click on Add port

Add port 21 and 20 and save the firewall (see above two figures).
Save firewall by clicking on Ok button. You are done now your Windows XP box will allows incoming FTP connection. Please note that you need to run FTP server in order to establish connection.

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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

1 chriss 07.25.07 at 11:45 am

Hi,

I am stuck…
I have allow theport 20 21 in tcp and udp but i still cannot download on a ftp server like ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/7rwc06ww.exe.

Help !!!!

thanks,

Chris

2 Milind 09.10.07 at 6:25 am

Hi,
You said you had open port 20 and 21 and still your not able to download.
Have you check, wherether you are able to donload from other ftp sites ?
Also check with your ISP if the have block those port

Milind

3 blaster01 05.24.08 at 4:27 pm

How do you open port 443?? HTTPS i believe. This one is closed for me. =(

4 yudi chan 05.27.08 at 9:35 am

thx for your help opening ftp port 20-21

5 Jesse 01.01.09 at 1:44 am

Yes, hello,

I am trying to download Norton on the computer I am using right now. I have Norton already on another computer, but need it on this one as well. I have gone through all the steps as shown on this website, but I still can not download Norton. As soon as I click the “DOWNLOAD” button it says it could not connect to FTP etc. etc. I have checked and re-checked and ports 20 and 21 are both on the exception list. Is there anything else I could try?

6 Catherine 03.05.09 at 3:44 pm

Good morning! After reading your web sites
instructions on opening up my FTP ports, I was able to do so effortlessly and save myself a trip to the computer repair.
Recently my computer was infected with the A360 Virus…I run a clean computer and I thought I had a good anti virus system in it, but I was wrong and it really took hold of my sysem.
I took my Dell to Best Buy where the Geek Squad got the virus out of my computer, but my ports were also infected (my opinion) I learned this later in the evening as I was trying to work with my programs. The guy at Norton told me to get my FTP ports looked at…Best Buy never did and they charged me $200.00. I did my research and found you on Google, Thanks to you I now have my computer back. Your instructions were clear and easy to follow. Thank you so much for helping me with this problem.

7 a 03.14.09 at 10:08 pm

great,thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks

8 Prashant 03.17.09 at 8:49 am

Hi,
I am trying to connect to a system from cmd prompt using ftp -> open-> user -> password. Once all the information is provided it says user logged in. But i am not able to view any files(ls or Dir) also i am not able to change the home directory.
ftp> cd E:/
550 E:/: The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.

Can you help me out?

9 Benjamin 04.14.09 at 2:20 pm

Another important thing to remember is that you may also need to go into the ‘Advanced’ tab, select your network connection, click ‘Settings’, and enable FTP on the Settings screen. Windows Firewall is so stupid that it needs to be told twice to allow FTP traffic.

10 clyde 04.26.09 at 1:46 am

everyone here trying to use ftp needs to remember to forward the port on your router, as for prashat you need to change the settings on the ftp server software.

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