I just built a Windows machine from parts and installed Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit. The only problem I was having was the FTP service would not stay active upon shutdown or restart. I had to start it manually every time.

If anyone else is wondering, here is how to make it work (if you already have FTP installed and just need it to start on reboot then start at step 7):

1. Control Panels
2. Programs
3. Turn Windows features on or off
4. locate and check FTP Publishing Service
5. Click OK to install the items you selected
6. You may or may not have to start FTP through IIS 6 but it may work without this step
7. Start Menu
8. right-click “Computer”
9. Select “Manage”
10. Select “Services” under “Services and Applications”
11. double-click “FTP Publishing Service”
12. Change “Startup Type” to “Automatic”
13. Click OK

Let me know if this helps. I don’t know, it may be obvious to everyone that knows Windows but I’ve been a Macintosh guy since I bought my second computer back in 1995 (I had a Texas Instruments TI-99/4A before that). I’m used to starting FTP with one click in the Sharing control panel.

For comparison here’s how turn on FTP under Mac OS X:

1. Apple Menu
2. System Preferences…
3. Sharing
4. Click the “FTP Access” checkbox

This also opens the port in the firewall and keeps it active any time the Mac is started.

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