Is it possible to assign an editor to edit remote files through FTP while on Windows 8 Explorer

Question

I have a remote VM that runs Ubuntu Server 12.04 LTS. I installed on that remote machine vsftpd. Therefore I can access folders and files on that remote machine through FTP. My goal is to make my life simpler so on my Windows 8 machine (local), I created a new network location in the Windows Explorer. To be specific, while on "This PC", i right clicked -> add a network location, and typed the URL ftp://RemoteUbuntuServerDomain.org. I was indeed able to view the files the way I wanted but when I double click a file (not a folder), it opens with firefox.

Searching into Default Programs->Associate a file type or protocol with a specific program I found that FTP is indeed associated with Mozilla Firefox but when I tried to change it, the suggested options where other browsers, WinSCP, or Look for an app in the store. It makes sense to not be able to open any ftp link with an editor of course.

Could there be a way so I can assign an editor into opening files, or at least filetypes through FTP and through the Windows explorer? My editor of preference is Sublime Text and I do not want to use an FTP plugin on that editor. I don't want a WinSCP type of solution either. I would like the behavior I described.

Edit: This seems to be a problem that bothers other people too as hinted in the comments. So far the solutions suggested/approached by me are as follows:

• [Suggested] NetDrive, WebDrive, Swish (doesn't work on windows 8) and Fling. So far NetDrive seems to be the closer one but it costs after 30 days of trial.
• [Approach] Try to assign a custom program to the FTP protocol (and its derivatives like ftps,sftp etc) through registry. (relevant for WinSCP. Found one for FileZilla too but can't post more than 2 links with less than 10 rep)
• [Approach] Maybe create a VPN with the server and browse the folders in the server as local would be a non-FTP solution. This however has the issue that I have to start a vpn connection with the server everytime or be always on a VPN connection. Maybe I could assign a network card to connect to the VPN and have my main card for public internet connection?

Answer 1

The best solution I've found so far, which is relevant to editing remote code files, is the following:

http://winscp.net/eng/docs/task_keep_up_to_date

Another approach is to setup keys for an SSH connection with OpenSSH in windows. Then you need to upload the public key to the server and also convert the local key with puttygen. (which is included in the winscp installation folder).

I'm not allowed to post more than 2 links with 15 or less rep so google

• WinSCP Public Key Authorization
• WinSCP PuTTYgen

After that you can create a shortcut (to your taskbar e.g.), that directly opens a remote site through WinSCP as described here

http://winscp.net/eng/docs/integration

under "Desktop and Quick Launch Icons".

At the end of this second approach you should be able to just click the shortcut and without typing a password securely be connected to your server. Also if your edit remote files with your editor and save them, WinSCP will no longer ask for a password the first time you save a file. As opposed to password connection that is. Also this method does not require an FTP server running.

Answer 2

Windows Explorer does not natively support FTP, only a browser does that.

There are, however, 3rd party tools that will integrate FTP into Windows Explorer. NetDrive is possibly the most common. But there are others such as Swish that work if you switch to a secure connection.

UPDATE: WebDrive is another commercial solution that is ridiculously expensive. FTPx is a shareware tool though I don't know if it supports W8.

A slightly different approach is taken by Fling. This synchronises the remote FTP folders with local Windows folders.

There does seem to be some discussion about whether what you want is available natively though the outcome seems uncertain. Personally, I've always found Window's native FTP and WebDAV support to be very unreliable. It isn't for nothing that there are a number of well used and supported FTP clients such as WinSCP & FileZilla.

May have some more later if time permits.

UPDATE 2: Another thought if you are considering changing the server (mentioned by you in respect to a VPN solution) would be to implement WebDAV. Although this too can be problematic to use with Windows, it is natively supported.

One thing I should have pointed out before as well. You should never use an unsecured protocol (FTP, WebDAV) over a public network. Not EVER! WebDAV can be configured to use SSL/TLS encryption and FTP can be accessed via several secure standards.