Introduction

Optimizing WinSCP for Faster Uploads

General vs. Environment-Specific Recommendations

Best Practices

Introduction

When bulk uploading large files (e.g., video, audio, image, or docs) to the Asset Library via FTP, using WinSCP, you may experience slow speeds or timeouts due to default connection settings. This guide explains how to optimize the tool for improved stability and faster upload performance.

Optimizing WinSCP for Faster Uploads

1. Increasing Timeout 

Steps:

• Launch WinSCP.
• On the Login screen, select the site you want to configure.
• Under “File Protocol”, select “FTP”.
• Click on “Advanced” at the bottom right.
• Click on “Connection” on the left-hand side pane.
• In “Time Out”, set the “Server Response Timeout (seconds)” to 1200–3600 (20–60 minutes) or Higher 7200.
• Click on “Ok” to save the settings.

2. Enable Keep-Alive

Steps:

• Launch WinSCP.
• On the Login screen, select the site you want to configure.
• Under “File Protocol”, select “FTP”.
• Click on “Advanced” at the bottom right.
• Click on “Connection” on the left-hand side pane.
• Under “Keepalives
• Check “Enable Keepalives”.
• Set “Executing dummy protocol commands” to 60
• Click on “Ok” to save the settings.

3. Transfer Setting

Steps:

• Launch WinSCP.
• On the Login screen, select the site you want to configure.
• Under “File Protocol”, select “FTP”.
• Type your “Host Name”, “Port Number”, “Username”, and “Password”.
• Click on the “Drop-down Arrow” on “Advanced” at the bottom right.
• Click on “Transfer Settings Rule”.
• Under “Common Options”, select “Calculate Total Size”.
• Select the “Speed” to “Unlimited”.
• Close the dialog box.

4. Use Passive Mode (Keep Default)

Steps:

• Launch WinSCP.
• On the Login screen, select the site you want to configure.
• Under “File Protocol”, select “FTP”.
• Click on “Advanced” at the bottom right.
• Click on “Connection” on the left-hand side pane.
• Under “Connection”, select “Passive Mode”.
• Click on “OK” to save the settings.

✅ Why this helps:

Passive mode works better behind NAT/firewalls and can improve transfer reliability.

General vs. Environment-Specific Recommendations

Best Practices

To achieve optimal upload performance:

• Enable Timeout, Keep-Alive, and Transfer Speed improvements for all users.
• Use Passive Mode if your network uses NAT or firewalls.

These settings minimize disconnections and significantly improve file transfer stability.