CuteFTP
FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, transfers files from one host to another over the Internet or any TCP-based network. In order to do this, you need some form of FTP client software. There are many options out there, but today we are going to take a look at using CuteFTP. 
CuteFTP features an easy-to-use, intuitive interface, and comes in handy when you need to publish your website or download files. It is available on a trial basis for free, and is fully compatible with FTP hosting.
Let's walk through the use of CuteFTP together, starting with initiating the FTP connection.
1. The CuteFTP connection wizard pops up, asking you for the host address of the server the FTP connection will be established for. Below this, enter the name for the new connection. If you want, you can use the domain name. Click ‘Next >'
2. Provide your FTP username and password, and click ‘Next >'
3. The next screen asks for the Default Local Directory. You should enter the folder where your website files are stored, then click ‘Next >'
4. You will now see panes with information regarding the web hosting account you are logged into. The left pane displays the files on your local computer, while the pane on the right displays the files in your hosting account. There will be a directory contained in your web hosting account named ‘public_html'. It is the main directory for website content, the content displayed when you type your domain into a web browser.
5. Behind a firewall? You'll need to use passive mode in order to secure a stable connection. Open the Site Manager and select your connection. Click the ‘Type' tab and select ‘Use PASV' from the Data Connection Type drop-down menu.
6. When you install scripts and other tools, you might need to change permissions (“chmod”) on a file or entire directory. Right-click the file or directory that you want to modify permissions on, and in the pop-up window that appears, type in the permissions you want to set (a numeric value) or use the check boxes to set them.
Managing Files With CuteFTP
You will notice a toolbar at the top, which provides you access to many functions of CuteFTP. If you hover your cursor over any icon, a description of that tool appears. Below this tool bar is the connection bar, and below that are three sections. The first two we discussed (files on your machine and files on your website), while the third pane on the bottom features two tabs. The ‘Queue Window' tab will display the status of a transfer in progress. The ‘Log Window' tab displays information on completed processes and whether or not they were successful. Folders can be opened by double clicking, or right-clicking and choosing ‘open'.
Renaming A File
Simply right-click the folder, choose ‘Rename' from the resulting drop down menu, and edit away. You can also select the ‘Rename' tool featured in the toolbar.
Adding A Folder
Right-click on empty space and choose ‘New Folder'. Name the folder, and click OK.
Moving Folders And Files
Left-click on the file or folder and drag it to the location you would like to move it to. You can move files or folders to another location in the same section or from one section to another.
If you move a file from the local computer pane to the remote pane, the files will be copied rather than moved. Also, you can move multiple files or folders by highlighting them, clicking them, then dragging them where you would like them moved to.
I hope this helps you use CuteFTP! Do you have any questions on how to perform other functions? Let us know, we'd love to help!
