Adding FTP server / WebDAV folder as a network place

Windows Explorer has the same FTP and HTTP capabilities as Internet Explorer, so it is possible to add FTP and HTTP servers as Network Places. This allows one to access them like bookmarked Web Folders where one can easily upload and download files using the Windows Explorer.

To add a Web Folder as a network place in Win98/WinNT4

If using Win98 or WinNT4 and doesn’t see a “Web Folders” icon in “My Computer”, then one need to install the “Web Folders component” of Internet Explorer 5.x first. More Info MS KB298637.

Open My Computer and double click Web Folders and double-click Add Web Folder.
Enter the address of the remote server and click Next.
- If using WebDAV over SSL then use https instead of http
Type the username and password to use for logging in and click OK.
- For anonymous access change the username to anonymous and blank password
Give the new network place a name (it will become the name shown in the Web Folders), and click Finish.

To add a Web Folder as a network place in Win2k/WinMe

Open My Computer and in the menu Tools select Map Network Drive…
Click the blue link to Create a shortcut to a Web folder or FTP site.
Enter the address of the remote server (See the examples of how the paths should be entered) and click Next
- If using WebDAV over SSL then use https instead of http
If anonymous access check Log on anonymously else uncheck it and enter the account username and click Next
Give the new network place a name (it will become the name shown in the My Network Places), and click Finish.

To add a Web Folder as a network place in WinXP/Win2k3

Win2k3 doesn’t have the Web Extender Client component by default, and has to use the installer package Webfldrs.msi from a Windows 2000 or XP installation. More Info MS KB8881231. Open the Control Panel and click Network and Internet Connections.

Under See Also, click My Network Places.
Click Add a network place. The Add Network Place Wizard starts. Click Next to continue.
Click Choose another network location, and then click Next.
Enter the address of the remote server (See the examples of how the paths should be entered) and click Next
- If using WebDAV over SSL then use https instead of http
Click Next and give the network place a name and click Next again and then Finish. More Info MS KB308416

To add a Web Folder as a network place in Vista

Click on the Start menu and choose Computer.
Click the Map network drive button in the toolbar.
Click the blue link Connect to a Web site that you can use to store your documents and pictures.
The Add Network Location starts. Click Next to continue.
Select the Choose a custom network location option and click Next.
Enter the location of the FTP site (See the examples of how the paths should be entered) and click Next.
- If using WebDAV over SSL then use https instead of http
If anonymous login then check check Log on anonymously, else uncheck the box and enter the username of the FTP account and click Next.
Give the new network place a name (it will become the name shown in the Computer window), and click Finish.

Microsoft Hotfixes for WebDAV on Windows

Microsoft have released an update to the Web Folders component, which fixes several issues with WebDAV folders. More Info MS KB907306.

The latest version of the Web Folders update (2.0) doesn’t support Windows 98, Me or 2000. Instead one should use version 11.0.6715.15 Download Webfldrs-KB892211-ENU.exe.
Windows Vista SP1 (and older) has a known bug where it cannot access sub-folder unless it has read-access to the parent folders. More Info MS KB942392

More Info MS KB287402 (Troubleshooting Web Folders)
More Info Lists WebDAV clients in MS Office (and their bugs)
More Info Lists WebDAV clients in Windows (and their bugs)