How To Configure And Enable Joomla’s FTP File System Layer read more………….. ***ONLY do this if you have errors after you have installed Joomla. These errors will likely first arise when you try to install a new extension, such as a new template. In fact, that is an excellent way to pro-actively test if you need to enable the FTP file system layer. Go to one of the Joomla theme clubs that offer some free templates, like Joomlashack.com, Shape5.com, YouJoomla.com, RocketTheme.com, etc, and try installing a free template. I show you how to install a new template at 5:15 in this tutorial: youtube.com If the install fails with errors, then, and only then, will you need to enable the FTP file system layer. Note that in this tutorial I make an new ftp account for my joomla instance to interface with, but I realize that some hosts (usually the free ones) don’t let you make new ftp accounts as they ONLY let you use the ONE ftp account that they give you. If this is the case, simply use THAT ftp account then. Also, make sure you adjust the “ftp root” setting appropriately. What it needs to know is “Where is the Joomla instance (the folder where joomla’s index.php file is, ie public_html) relative to the root of the ftp account. The root of most default ftp accounts is the parent of the public_html folder, so you will probably have to adjust by using the value “/public_html/” as the ftp root parameter. If in doubt, try “/” first. If joomla throws an error when you apply, try …