> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.devolutions.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.devolutions.net/rdm/knowledge-base/knowledge-base-articles/sftp-and-scp-entry-settings.md).

# SFTP and SCP entry settings

In Remote Desktop Manager, it is recommended to always use SFTP entries instead of SCP entries unless SFTP is not functional.

SCP is not a file transfer protocol; rather, it is a command-line utility designed to copy files between hosts. SCP lacks support for listing the contents of remote directories. Some implementations of SCP use SFTP internally for directory listings, which defeats the purpose, as SFTP could be used directly for transferring files.

In Remote Desktop Manager, to implement SCP independently of SFTP, SCP functionality is enhanced through the use of non-interactive commands to handle features SCP does not natively support. However, this approach can encounter issues due to varying server configurations, language settings, and is particularly problematic when handling large directories or file transfers.

In contrast, SFTP is a complete and standardized protocol that ensures excellent interoperability and scalability, even for large directory listings and file transfers. SFTP operates independently of server language settings and provides enhanced protection for files during transfer, safeguarding against interference or actions by other parties.

{% hint style="info" %}
See [Use legacy SFTP](https://docs.devolutions.net/rdm/kb/how-to-articles/use-legacy-sftp%20/) to learn how to bring back the legacy feature in Remote Desktop Manager's hidden settings.
{% endhint %}

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="116.4000244140625"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>SETTINGS</strong></td><td><strong>DESCRIPTION</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td>The name of the entry.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Folder</strong></td><td>The folder where the entry is located. A folder can be selected by clicking the arrow or the three dots to open the <em><strong>Folder</strong></em> window. To create a new folder, click on the plus (<em><strong>+</strong></em>) icon.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Display</strong></td><td>How the session is displayed. <em><strong>Embedded (tabbed)</strong></em> means that the remote connection is open within the same window as the other tabs or entries. Each connection has its own tab, making it easy to switch between them. An <em><strong>undocked</strong></em> display refers to the session window being detached from the main application. It allows you to move and resize the remote session window freely on your desktop.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Host</strong></td><td><em><strong>Host configured</strong></em> lets you select the host. <em><strong>Linked (vault)</strong></em> indicates that the host for the entry is linked to a host entry. <em><strong>Inherited</strong></em> is used when the host is inherited from a higher-level or parent entry.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Credentials</strong></td><td><ul><li><em><strong>Username and password</strong></em>: You will set the username and password in the <em><strong>General</strong></em> tab.</li><li><em><strong>Linked (vault)</strong></em>: Links to credentials available in the current shared vault.</li><li><em><strong>Inherited</strong></em>: Inheritance means that credentials will automatically be passed down from a higher-level entry to lower-level entries that inherit from it.</li><li><em><strong>My personal credentials</strong></em>: These credentials are not entry specific but are instead taken from the option under <em><strong>File</strong></em> – <em><strong>My account settings</strong></em> – <em><strong>Local credentials</strong></em> – <em><strong>My personal credentials</strong></em>.</li><li><em><strong>None</strong></em>: Remote Desktop Manager will not send credentials to the entry.</li><li><em><strong>Find by name (user vault)</strong></em>: Searches for the name of an entry in the user vault.</li><li><em><strong>My privileged account</strong></em>: These credentials are not entry specific but are instead taken from the option under <em><strong>File</strong></em> – <em><strong>My account settings</strong></em> – <em><strong>Local credentials</strong></em> – <em><strong>My privileged account</strong></em>.</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

### General

![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW4402_2025_3.png)

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="241.99993896484375"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>SETTINGS</strong></td><td><strong>DESCRIPTION</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Host</strong></td><td>The field contains the host name. Clicking on the ellipsis button opens the <em><strong>Computer list</strong></em> menu. Clicking on <em><strong>Default</strong></em> opens the <em><strong>Port</strong></em> menu. The <em><strong>Port generator...</strong></em> button can generate ports according to a list of parameters.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Username</strong></td><td>This entry's login credentials.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Password</strong></td><td>This entry's login credentials.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Always ask for password</strong></td><td>Always be prompted for a password when launching the entry.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Send an empty password</strong></td><td>Send an empty password for servers without credentials.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>OTP prompt string</strong></td><td>A string used to know when to send the OTP (this field is optional).</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Home directory</strong></td><td>Set a home directory for the remote machine. Parent folders will be unaccessible.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Starting location</strong></td><td>Choose the starting location within the home directory of the remote machine. Parent folders will still be available.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Show files in tree view</strong></td><td>Determine whether to show the files in the tree view or not in the remote directory.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Show hidden files</strong></td><td>Show hidden files in the remote directory.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Private key

![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW4403_2025_3.png)

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="114.79998779296875"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>SETTING</strong></td><td><strong>DESCRIPTION</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Entry type</strong></td><td><p>The source of the SSH key. Choose between:</p><ul><li><strong>No private key</strong></li><li><strong>File (local)</strong>, which lets you choose a path to a local <strong>.key</strong> file.</li><li><strong>Embedded data</strong>, which lets you manually enter a private key (or generate one via the <strong>SSH key generator</strong>).</li><li><strong>Linked (vault)</strong>, which lets you choose an SSH key entry from which to retrieve a key.</li><li><strong>My personal SSH key</strong>, which uses the SSH key set in <strong>File</strong>– <strong>My account settings</strong> – <strong>My personal SSH key</strong>, under <strong>Local credentials</strong>.</li><li><strong>Find by name (user vault)</strong>, which lets you enter the name of a specific SSH key entry within the current user vault from which to retrieve a key.</li><li><strong>Privileged account</strong>, which lets you choose a PAM account from a list previously set up in Devolutions Server.</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Proxy

![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW4404_2025_3.png)

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="130.800048828125"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>SETTING</strong></td><td><strong>DESCRIPTION</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Proxy mode</strong></td><td>The <em><strong>Link</strong></em> mode points to a <em><strong>Proxy Tunnel</strong></em> entry. The <em><strong>Custom</strong></em> mode sets up a custom proxy with the same settings as a proxy tunnel.</td></tr></tbody></table>

* Wildcards, such as asterisks, which are interpreted as any number of characters (including 0), and question marks, each of which represents a single character.
* Leading point notation, according to which ".domain.com" equals "\*.domain.com".

### Gateway

![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW4405_2025_3.png)

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="156.39996337890625"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>SETTING</strong></td><td><strong>DESCRIPTION</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Gateway mode</strong></td><td>The <em><strong>Custom</strong></em> mode lets you configure a gateway. The <em><strong>Linked</strong></em> mode picks from an already existing SSH gateway.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Advanced

![](https://cdnweb.devolutions.net/docs/RDMW4406_2025_3.png)

<table><thead><tr><th width="248.4000244140625">SETTINGS</th><th>DESCRIPTION</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Show local files</strong></td><td>Display the files of the local directory.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Local path</strong></td><td>The path of the local directory.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Show logs</strong></td><td>Enable logs for the SFTP session.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Verbose</strong></td><td>This will set how in-depth logs are (only available for the <strong>Event</strong> mode).</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Log to file</strong></td><td>Choose a path for the logs.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Server start command</strong></td><td>Command to execute when starting the server.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Server type</strong></td><td><p>Choose a server type between:</p><ul><li><strong>Detect automatically</strong></li><li><strong>Windows</strong></li><li><strong>Unix</strong></li><li><strong>None</strong></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Algorithm support</strong></td><td>Choose which <a href="https://docs.devolutions.net/powershell/rdm-powershell/ssh-algorithm-support/">algorithms to support</a> in the SFTP session.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Use SSH authentication agent</strong></td><td>Uses SSH authentication agent which is currently open on your machine (including the Remote Desktop Manager SSH key agent).</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Preserve timestamps when downloading/uploading</strong></td><td>Preserve the timestamps of downloading/uploaded files and folders.</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### See also:

* [Devolutions Academy - Transferring files securely with FileZilla, WinSCP, and SFTP](https://academy.devolutions.net/student/activity/3381275-transferring-files-securely-with-filezilla-winscp-and-sftp)


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