Third-party services offer a number of benefits, but they also come with drawbacks. For example, using a third-party service may incur a monthly service cost, potential inaccessibility should the servers or service crash, and security demands to keep data both safe and private. ..

If you’re looking for a way to build your own cloud server on Windows, you may be interested in learning about the Windows Azure cloud service. This service is much more affordable and easy to use than traditional cloud services, and it offers a number of advantages over them. For example, you can build your own server from scratch, without any help from a provider. Additionally, the Windows Azure cloud service is much larger than most traditional clouds, so it can accommodate a wider range of applications.

How To Set Up Private Cloud Storage Using a Windows 10 FTP Site

To build your own cloud server in Windows, you would normally require an upfront investment. To start, you’d need a storage system and a minimum of 100Mbps fixed broadband connection. This speed is recommended so that the cloud server can be easily accessed from anywhere. ..

The other option is a USB drive, which can be connected to your computer and used as a storage device.

Building your own cloud server is a great way to save money and increase your privacy. By using a home Windows computer, you can repurpose it to act as a cloud storage server. This will allow you to store your files and data in the cloud, without having to rely on a third-party service. ..

How To Build Your Own Cloud Server In Windows 10

You can build your own cloud server in Windows but it does require a few additions in order to pull it off. It’s also likely to be the cheaper option over something like a NAS as you probably already have a computer readily available.

To set up FTP on your Windows 10 computer, you will need to install the FTP components. This will make your Windows 10 PC internet accessible, meaning you can access it online from other devices, and give it the ability to manage files. ..

From the Programs list, select System Tools. On the System Tools menu, click on Disk Management. In the Disk Management window, you will see a list of disks and partitions on your computer. To view or change the properties of a disk or partition, select it from the list and click on Properties. To delete a disk or partition, select it from the list and click on Delete. ..

In the Programs and Features section of the Windows Control Panel, click Turn Windows features on or off.

To enable FTP access for IIS, first expand the IIS folder and check the FTP Server box. Next, expand Web Management Tools and make sure that IIS Management Console is also checked. Finally, press OK. ..

To set up an FTP server, you will need to install the following components: FTP server software, a FTP client, and a password manager.

Configuring Your FTP Server Site

Setting up an FTP server site that can be accessed over the web is the next step in creating a website. ..

In the System and Security area, you’ll find a variety of options to improve your computer security. You can choose to install security software, set up passwords and protect your computer with a virus scan.

Administrative Tools

This will open the Internet Information Services Manager. Click on the Connections tab. In the Connections pane, double-click on the Default Web Site connection. In the Default Web Site Connection Properties dialog box, click on the Security tab. In the Security tab, under Authentication Methods, click on the Add button. In the Add Authentication Method dialog box, type in Windows authentication and then click on OK. Click on OK to close the Default Web Site Connection Properties dialog box. ..

In the Connections pane, expand your computer name and right-click Sites. Select Add FTP Site… Select a name for your site and then locate the folder path where you’ll want to store all FTP files. We recommend creating a folder within the root of the main system drive (C:) or an entirely different hard drive. Click Next. You should now be at the Binding and SSL Settings window. Set all settings to mirror the image below, and click Next. ..

If you’re not using this server for business purposes and do not need to secure your data, then SSL is generally not required. However, if you’re using this server for sensitive data or want to ensure that your email address is accessible by only authorized people, then you should acquire an SSL certificate. Again, mirror your settings to that of the image below. The email address should be the one attached to your Windows 10 account in order for you to gain access to it.

Setting Up The Firewall

Windows 10’s built-in firewall blocks FTP connections by default. To enable them, you need to go to Settings > Network & Internet > Firewall and then enable the “Allow an app or program through the firewall” option for FTP. ..

Windows Defender Security Center enables you to protect your computer from potential threats by managing your network and firewall settings.

Allow an app through the firewall to help you stay safe online.

Change Settings: FTP Server Checkmark: Private Checkmark: Public ..

Your FTP server is now accessible from multiple devices on the same network. ..

Accessing Your FTP Server From The Internet

It is recommended that you open the TCP/IP port number 21 on your router in order to allow for better communication between devices on your network.

To safely access the internet, follow these steps: -Set up a static IP address and open a port to allow online traffic through. -Be aware of what kind of security measures your ISP or website may have in place. ..

You can access your FTP server files from any computer, even if you don’t have a FTP client.

Things To Remember

Cloud storage can have some drawbacks if you’re not always home. For example, automatic updates could potentially disable your computer if you’re not there to check for them.

The files in this archive are not automatically synchronized while offline. To pull that off, you’ll need a cloud service like OwnCloud or SeaFile.

Another problem would be that personal data and cloud storage data would be shared. Depending on what kind of data is being stored, the hard drives on people’s computers could fill up quickly. ..

Buying an additional hard drive is the best way to increase your storage capacity without having to pay for monthly fees. ..

You can build your own cloud server in Windows and finally kick cloud storage service costs to the curb. With this guide, you’ll learn how to create a Windows cloud server that’s ready to handle your online storage needs.