WinSCP 5.11: faster transfers, better multi-monitor support

Martin Brinkmann
Sep 5, 2017
Updated • Nov 15, 2019
Internet
|
17

The new version of the popular file transfer client WinSCP for Windows, WinSCP 5.11, is a major update that brings faster transfers, better multi-monitor support and OneDrive support among other things.

WinSCP is a file transfer software program that supports SFTP, SCP, FTP and WebDav connections. It is mainly being used to connect a local computer with a remote computer; the client supports file transfers, direct edits, integration with Putty, directory synchronziation and a lot of other features that make it a popular choice for webmasters, server administrators and others who work with remote devices.

We reviewed the program back in 2007 for the first time. It has been updated regularly since then and improved significantly.

Related guides:

WinSCP 5.11 release

WinSCP 5.11 is a major new release of the application. While there have been three stable releases in 2017 already, all three were bug fix releases. This changes with today's release of WinSCP 5.11 as it introduces major new features.

Performance improvements when transferring files, especially a large number of files, is probably the main new feature in the release. If you have used WinSCP in the past, you may know that file transfers were not the fastest in many situations.

The reliance on using a single connection for file transfers was probably the number one thing that throttled the transfer speed.

Version 5.11 of WinSCP introduces support for multiple connections when you use the program to transfer files. A quick test revealed that it improves the speed significantly so that file transfers complete faster than in previous versions of the application.

While the feature has been designed for large batch file transfers, it works on single file transfers as well provided that they are large enough to justify the use of multiple connections.

WinSCP 5.11 improves support for multi-monitor systems as well. The software supports multi-monitor systems where monitors run on different resolutions or DPI settings.

The two remaining features are support for Microsoft OneDrive, and better support for sharing the program's configuration date with the cloud.

The new version of WinSCP supports secure connections to Microsoft OneDrive using WebDav. You find instructions on how to set this up on the official project website. Setup is not overly complicated, but it requires more steps than just entering your OneDrive credentials.

As far as better syncing with cloud storage is concerned, you find options under Storage in the preferences to select a custom INI which you may save to a folder that gets synced with cloud storage. Instructions on how to do that are found here.

Several core modules used by the program have been updated as well. This includes OpenSSL 1.0.2l, Expat 2.2.3 and SSH core and private key tools to PuTTY 0.70.

Closing Words

WinSCP 5.11 is a major new release that should make things a lot easier for webmasters and server administrators, and other users who transfer large number of files regularly using the program. It should take less time to transfer these files when using the program.

WinSCP

For Windows

Summary
software image
Author Rating
1star1star1star1star1star
5 based on 1 votes
Software Name
WinSCP 5.11
Operating System
Windows
Software Category
Development
Landing Page
Advertisement

Tutorials & Tips


Previous Post: «
Next Post: «

Comments

  1. stan said on October 13, 2018 at 1:26 am
    Reply

    WinSCP fucking sucks. Remote directories never update so it won’t show new files. Then, their documentation shows there’s a cache setting, documentation even has an image of where it is! Nope. No such setting. Fuck WinSCP

  2. PD said on September 8, 2017 at 1:53 pm
    Reply

    I like this program but use it rarely. Thus, under the idiotic rapid-release mentality, every bloody time I use it … EVERY BLOODY TIME … I’m prompted about an update and their update system is the only freaking part of the program that hasn’t been updated! It’s still a bloody manual, many-steps process! I hate to complain about very good freeware but they’re making it unusable. They’ve learned nothing from the Firefox updating disasters since they switched to to boring releases.

  3. Jon Forrest said on September 6, 2017 at 6:48 am
    Reply

    Minor English correction:

    “WinSCP is a file transfer software” ->
    “WinSCP is file transfer software”

    It’s incorrect to say “a software”. You can say “the software” but “software” doesn’t allow an indefinite article. Don’t ask me why.

    1. PD said on September 8, 2017 at 1:55 pm
      Reply

      Very happy I’m not the only grammanazi that cringes when I read many of the ghacks articles. I’d really like this site to be more wiki-like so I could help improve the editorial quality :)

  4. Simakuutio said on September 5, 2017 at 10:33 pm
    Reply

    For me personally, winscp was pretty much obsolete after filezilla provided long time ago pretty decent sftp support (from Putty). Usability is a thing I was also looking after and Filezilla provided better overall feeling.

    But again, this is purely matter of personal opinion. I’ll prefer Filezilla over winscp, someone else have opposite opinion and that’s okay.

    1. me said on September 6, 2017 at 5:20 am
      Reply

      In WinSCP you can use SSH also. Filezilla is only for file transfer, i think.

    2. John M said on September 5, 2017 at 11:02 pm
      Reply

      I like WinSCP better, because it can integrate with puTTY. I can connect using SFTP and then open a SSH terminal with a hotkey.

      Also, Filezilla and WinSCP share or used to share code, not sure about this. Filezilla took a long time to encrypt passwords and WinSCP has been doing it for a while.

  5. Paul(us) said on September 5, 2017 at 6:25 pm
    Reply

    Martin, I am wondering is a free program like TeamViewer maybe even much better for most people who are not major geeks or geeks but users like me, for just sending relatively small files (Let say 15 bits) up to larger files (let say something of 15GB)?
    I ask this because I can TeamViewer is much easier to configure and tweak?

    I only really don’t now or I can use TeamViewer also on main (web drive like) Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive or any other cloud storage facility like saying the free 100 GB of Degoo?

    1. Eric L said on September 5, 2017 at 9:02 pm
      Reply

      I wouldn’t call it better, but it might be easier. If it works for you and you’re comfortable with the risks of TeamViewer, then go for it.

  6. Karol said on September 5, 2017 at 6:01 pm
    Reply

    WinSCP is great but haven’t found a good SSH server on Android to transfer data from/to. I hate using MTP as it’s painfully slow, has bugs (not only one described on GHacks, it actually won’t display all files unless cache is deleted of certain android components) and in general it sux.

    Any recommendation for good SSH server that I can hook to on my Android phone? I don’t like using AirDroid or any bloatware like this – just need simple SSH server (server, not client).

    1. me said on September 6, 2017 at 5:16 am
      Reply

      You do not need a running SSH server on Android for transferring files:
      – i think Syncthing is the most secure and easiest way for that

      for PC
      https://syncthing.net/

      & for Android
      https://f-droid.org/packages/com.nutomic.syncthingandroid/

      1. Karol said on September 6, 2017 at 6:50 pm
        Reply

        I believe installing lean and open source SSH server (and securing it afterwards leaving just required port open) is better than installing Syncthing on Android phone, isn’t it?

        So ‘running SSH server’ in this case is the better option for us, that do not trust anyone :D

    2. Ben said on September 6, 2017 at 1:18 am
      Reply

      Do you need the encryption? If not use FTP. I use FTP Droid. One click on the app and the server is running (with password you can set).

    3. mikef90000 said on September 5, 2017 at 11:05 pm
      Reply

      CORRECTION TO LAST POST:
      The SFTP server from Ice Cold (not medha) works, but you must update your local client config to accept the older ssh-dss crypto.

      1. Karol said on September 6, 2017 at 6:47 pm
        Reply

        SFTP from Ice Cold was not updated for years, and even their web server (‘ultimate’) is over year old now so I skipped all Ice Cold offerings

    4. mikef90000 said on September 5, 2017 at 10:38 pm
      Reply

      I agree that MTP sucks for many reasons.

      After a quick check of GPStore options I found that SSHelper works for sftp.
      ‘Wifi FTP Server’ (medha) seemed more user friendly and flexible but refused connections with an unusual error (ssh-dss offer).

      For my Android sftp client AndFTP is very slick and hard to beat.
      For my non-Android client I use Filezilla.

      1. Karol said on September 6, 2017 at 6:44 pm
        Reply

        SSHelper looks amazing, thanks m8!
        https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.arachnoid.sshelper

        AndFTP looks like it does have issues, and no open source, so not willing to install any backdoor to my phone
        https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=lysesoft.andftp

        WiFi FTP Server do not offer SFTP (Secure Shell FTP) yet, only FTP over TLS
        https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.medhaapps.wififtpserver

        Still, will go with SSHelper as looks really great, open source is always big plus!

Leave a Reply

Check the box to consent to your data being stored in line with the guidelines set out in our privacy policy

We love comments and welcome thoughtful and civilized discussion. Rudeness and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Please stay on-topic.
Please note that your comment may not appear immediately after you post it.