Questions about the Solarwinds SFTP free version

actiongson

How can we get updates/fixes or future enhancements for the Solarwinds SFTP free version?

How can we know that there is a latest version/patch?

jeremymayfield

The SolarWinds Free SFTP/SCP Server is a lightweight, standalone free tool (not part of the paid Orion Platform or Serv-U MFT product line), designed mainly for basic secure file transfers like uploading IOS images or configs to network devices.

Updates, Fixes, and Future Enhancements

• This is a free utility, so it does not receive regular patches, hotfixes, or feature enhancements like paid SolarWinds products (e.g., no formal support SLA, no dedicated release notes for bug fixes, and no automatic update mechanism built into the tool itself).
• Updates/fixes/enhancements are rare and only happen sporadically when SolarWinds decides to refresh it (often in response to community feedback on THWACK or to bundle minor improvements).
• There is no subscription, paid support tier, or automatic notification system for the free version. If a new build addresses a critical issue (e.g., compatibility or security), it gets posted to the download page, but this has historically been infrequent (e.g., jumps from older 1.x versions like 1.0.4.9 to later ones like 19.4 in the past, though no major activity recently noted).
• For security vulnerabilities or major bugs, the best path is to check CVE databases or THWACK discussions, but fixes are not guaranteed or timely compared to enterprise tools.

How to Know If There's a Latest Version/Patch

1. Check the official download page regularly — This is the single source of truth: https://www.solarwinds.com/free-tools/free-sftp-server
   • Download the latest installer (it's usually an MSI file).
   • Compare the file version or build number (right-click the installed executable or check in Add/Remove Programs) against what's currently offered. If the download is newer, that's your update.
2. Monitor THWACK (SolarWinds community forum) — The SFTP/SCP Server category occasionally gets announcements from SolarWinds staff about new versions: https://thwack.solarwinds.com/categories/sftp-scp-server
   • Search for threads like "new version," "update," or "download." Staff have posted there in the past (e.g., "We have released a new version... download from the free tools page").
3. No email alerts, RSS, or in-tool checker — You won't get notified automatically. It's manual — revisit the download page every few months or when you encounter an issue.
4. Current status (as of early 2026) — The tool remains available and functional for its intended use (concurrent transfers, IP restrictions, runs as a Windows service on port 22). No widespread reports of end-of-life or removal, but versions referenced in recent docs (e.g., 2025.x alignments in some gov/trm listings) seem tied more to bundled NCM/ETS installs than the standalone free tool. If you're seeing very old build numbers (like 1.0.x from 2017–2019 era), redownload from the link above for whatever the current build is.

Recommendation — If you need reliable ongoing updates, security patches, or advanced features (e.g., better auditing, multi-protocol support, high availability), consider migrating to SolarWinds' paid Serv-U MFT (which gets regular releases and support) or a third-party alternative like OpenSSH on Windows, FileZilla Server, or Bitvise SSH Server. The free SFTP/SCP Server is best viewed as a "set it and forget it" utility for simple network ops tasks rather than something actively maintained.