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Unable to Export Server Identity in Serv-U Due to Folder Permission Issues

When attempting to export the Server Identity in Serv-U, the export file cannot be saved to a selected folder.

First published date

1/5/2026 5:34 PM

Last published date

1/5/2026 5:34 PM

Overview

When attempting to export the Server Identity in Serv-U, administrators may be unable to browse to or save the export file in a selected folder. This commonly leads to confusion about how to grant Serv-U access to the destination directory. The issue is typically caused by insufficient file system permissions for the account under which the Serv-U service is running.

Serv-U requires appropriate read/write access to the target folder in order to successfully export the Server Identity file.

Product section

Serv-U Managed File Transfer & Serv-U FTP Server

Resolution

To export the Server Identity in Serv-U, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Log in as a Serv-U Local Administrator or a full privileged System Administrator.
  2. Navigate to Global > Server Details > Server Identity within the Serv-U management interface.
  3. Click Export to open the Export Server Identity pop-up.
  4. Click Browse and select the folder where you want to save the Server Identity file.
  5. Enter a file name and click Select.
  6. Enter and confirm a password that meets the complexity requirements.
  7. Click Export to save the Server Identity file.

If you cannot access or save the file to your chosen folder, it is likely a permissions issue on the folder itself. To give Serv-U permission to access the folder:

  • Ensure the Serv-U service account (usually NETWORK SERVICE or a specific user account running the Serv-U service) has read/write permissions on the folder where you want to export the Server Identity.
  • On Windows, right-click the folder, select Properties > Security, then add or modify permissions for the Serv-U service account to allow full control or at least modify/write access.
  • After adjusting permissions, restart the Serv-U service and try exporting again.

If you are unsure which account Serv-U runs under, check the Windows Services management console (services.msc), find the Serv-U service, and check its Log On properties.
This should allow Serv-U to write the Server Identity export file to the desired folder.

 

If Serv-U cannot export the Server Identity file, the most common cause is missing write permissions on the target folder. Ensuring the Serv-U service account has appropriate access to the destination directory and restarting the service resolves the issue and allows the Server Identity to be exported successfully.