How to Enable TFTP and Telnet Client in Windows 10

The little known utilities Telnet client and TFTP (trivial file transfer protocol) client are very useful when upgrading the firmware of your DSL modem or wireless router (or a combination of these). We have previously published about how to use the Telnet utility to reboot a wireless router. The TFTP client utility can also be used to retrieve and send files to the target device. But these command line utilities are disabled by default in Windows 7, 8 and 10. Fortunately, it does not take much to enable these immensely useful tools in Windows 10.

Here is how you can enable TFTP and Telnet clients in Windows 10 (these same instructions also work in Windows 8 and 8.1):

  1. Press the hotkey Win+X to open the administrative menu. Select Control Panel from this menu.Enable TFTP Telnet in Windows 10
  2. In the Control Panel window, you would be shown eight different categories of settings You have to click on Programs category.Enable TFTP Telnet in Windows 10
  3. This will open a section of Control Panel where you can remove and install new programs as well as enable various features in Windows. Click on Turn Windows features on or off under the Programs and Features category.Enable TFTP Telnet in Windows 10
  4. A new window titled “Windows Features” should open up. In this window scroll down and check the checkboxes for TFTP Client and Telnet Client. Click on the OK button.Enable TFTP Telnet in Windows 10
  5. The process of enabling the Telnet and TFTP clients in Windows 10 may take some time after which you can open a command prompt window and give the command tftp or telnet to check whether they are working properly.

Conclusion: It is very easy to enable the TFTP client and the Telnet client in Windows 10. All it takes is a few changes in the Control Panel and you would be able to access sites, services or your router with the help these great utilities.

2 comments

  1. is there also a way to enable this feature through the command line?
    I`ve used dism /online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:TftpClient
    but this gives me an error message and no its not about elevation.
    there must be something else wrong.
    anyone?

    greets
    a novice powershell user

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