Have you ever wondered how to edit a remote file in a Linux environment while you are working in a windows environment? Or maybe just want to edit a file directly from an FTP client? If so, WinSCP is for you!
WinSCP is an open source FTP, SFTP, and SCP client with a graphical interface. You can download the latest version of WinSCP here: http://winscp.net/eng/download.php. In this tutorial, I will be using Notepad++ (which can be found here: http://notepad-plus-plus.org/). However, you may substitute any text editor you would like!
To use Notepad++ with WinSCP, follow the steps below:
- Download and install WinSCP.
- Download and install Notepad++.
- Open WinSCP and select "Preferences" in the left side bar --> "Preferences..."
- Select "Editors" in the left side bar, then select the "Add" button.
- Select the "External editor:" radio button, and browse to the Notepad++ directory. Select the "notepad++.exe" executable.
- OPTIONAL: If you would like to associate Notepad++ with only certain files or file extensions, update the "Use this editor for the following files" field. You may also like to check the "External editor opens each file in a separate window (process)" if you would like to have a separate window opened for each file instead of using the tab functionality of Notepad++.
- Select the "OK" button to close the "Add Editor" window.
- Highlight Notepad++ in the editor list, and select the "Up" button until Notepad++ is on top of the list.
- Select the "OK" button to save your changes.
- Connect to a remote server and double click an associated file to edit it with Notepad++!
- Repeat this process for any other editors you may use for different types of files (i.e. Dreamweaver for .html and .php).
***Note: You may also get to the options menu by selecting "Options" ---> "Preferences...", instead of accessing this menu from the welcome window.