Overview
EFT supports both ASCII and binary transfer modes when using FTP/FTPS. This article explains:
- How ASCII mode can be specified or configured in different versions of EFT
- How EFT handles ASCII mode during backend transfers
- How to modify ASCII file‑extension behavior in older versions
- Whether ASCII mode can be disabled on the server side
Specifying ASCII Mode for Backend Transfers
EFT Version 6 and Later
Beginning with EFT v6, administrators can explicitly define which file types should be transferred in ASCII mode within Event Rules.
ASCII mode configuration is available in:
- Copy/Move Action → Advanced Options
- Download Action → Advanced Options
This allows you to assign specific file extensions to ASCII mode for backend file movement workflows.
ASCII Mode Behavior in Older Versions (EFT v4)
EFT v4 handles ASCII mode differently and does not include a built‑in interface to configure ASCII file types.
How ASCII Mode Works in v4
- ASCII transfers apply only to FTP/FTPS connections.
(SFTP and HTTP/S do not support ASCII/Binary modes.)
- EFT transfers all files in Binary mode by default.
- EFT maintains an internal list of ASCII file extensions; files matching these extensions are transferred in ASCII.
Default ASCII File Extensions Include:
1ST ASP BASH* BAT C CFM CGI CPP CSS
DHTML FILE H HTACCESS HTM HTML HTPASSWD
INI JS MAK MSG OLD PERL PHP PINERC
PL PM QMAIL QMAIL-* README SCREENRC
SETUP SH* SHTML STYLE THREADS TMPL TXT UBB
If the file’s extension does not appear in this list, it is transferred in Binary mode.
The extension list is stored here:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
SOFTWARE\GlobalSCAPE Inc.\TED 6\Settings\FileTypes
Editing ASCII File Extensions in v4
EFT v4 does not provide a UI for modifying the ASCII list.
However, you can update it manually via CuteFTP Professional:
Important: Editing the Registry
⚠️ Caution: Registry editing can damage the system if done incorrectly.
Always back up the registry before making changes.
Steps
- Open CuteFTP Professional.
- Go to Tools → Global Options → Transfer → ASCII Types.
- Edit the ASCII file extension list (include all existing + new extensions).
- Save and close CuteFTP.
- Open Registry Editor (regedit).
- Export the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\GlobalSCAPE\CuteFTP 7 Professional\Settings\FileTypes
- Edit the exported
.reg file and replace the key path with:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\GlobalSCAPE Inc.\TED 6\Settings\FileTypes
- Save the file and double‑click it to import the changes.
- Restart the EFT Server service.
After restarting, EFT will apply the updated ASCII file extension list.
Can ASCII Mode Be Disabled on the Server Side?
Short Answer: No
The FTP client determines whether file transfers use:
EFT supports both, but:
- It cannot force clients into binary mode
- It cannot disable ASCII mode for FTP/FTPS clients
How to Restrict Unwanted Transfers Anyway
While ASCII mode cannot be disabled directly, EFT provides many controls that can indirectly prevent undesired activity, including:
- Login ban rules (failed login attempts)
- Password‑complexity requirements
- Username blacklisting
- IP allow/deny lists
- Banned file types
- Per‑IP connection limits
These help restrict unsafe or unwanted transfer behaviors even if ASCII mode remains available.
For additional details, see the EFT help topics:
- Banning Unwanted File Types
- Controlling Access by IP Address
- Banning an IP Address that Uses an Invalid Account