How to Login to Your Server Using PuTTY on Windows

PuTTY is a free, open-source SSH and Telnet client for Windows, maintained by Simon Tatham. Be sure to download it from the official source:

• Official Download (v0.83, released Feb 8 2025): https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html 

• Alternatively, see https://putty.org which redirects to the official source 

1. Go to the official PuTTY download page.

2. Choose the 64-bit MSI installer (or Arm64, if applicable).

3. Run the installer and follow the setup wizard to install the core tools:

   • putty.exe (SSH client)

   • PuTTYgen (for key generation)

   • pscp/psftp (SCP/SFTP utilities)

   • Pageant (SSH agent)

Note: You can also download standalone binaries if you prefer a portable version 

• On Windows 10/11: Click Start → type PuTTY → select PuTTY (64-bit).

• Or use the desktop shortcut if you opted to install one.

1. In the PuTTY Configuration window:

   • Host Name: enter your server’s IP address or domain (e.g., 123.45.67.89)

   • Port: keep it at 22 (unless your server uses a custom SSH port)

   • Connection Type: ensure SSH is selected

2. (Optional) To use key-based authentication:

   • Go to Connection → SSH → Auth

   • Load your private key (PPK) under “Private key file for authentication”

1. Under Session, enter a name under Saved Sessions (e.g., MyServer).

2. Click Save. Next time you launch PuTTY, just select it and click Load.

1. Click Open to start the session.

2. On first-time connect, you'll see:

When the terminal opens:

• Type root for administrator access, or an alternate user account.




• When prompted for your password, type it (it won’t display as you type).

• Press Enter.

You’re now logged into your server via SSH!

• If the connection fails, go to Connection → SSH and ensure "Preferred SSH protocol version" is set to 2.

• Confirm your server is:

  • Powered on

  • Accessible over the network

  • Accepting SSH connections on the specified port

• Use SSH keys instead of passwords for better security.

• Forward keys using Pageant, PuTTY’s SSH agent.

• Regularly update PuTTY for bug fixes and enhancements