IE, should be able to view FTP folders. go to the TOOLS, INTERNET OPTIONS, ADVANCED, and check mark the view ftp folders.
you do presently have a ftp program installed on your system, unless MS decided to remove it, it would prolly depend on the OS your running. but as far as win9x goes. it is there. its a very small, simple ftp app.
click the START, RUN, type in ftp xxx.xxx.xxx (ip address),
or ftp ftp://somesite.net or ftp somsite.net.
if you just want to start the ftp app without an address, just type on the RUN, ftp.
if you need help running the program, just type a ? mark, it all the command options will be displayed for you.
now if you dont want to use that program. look for ftp apps on simtel.net, or tucows.com