SSH For Windows

Introduction

PuTTY is a free software program that allows Windows users to easily make SSH connections to other computers in order to perform tasks such as checking email without risking your password over an unencrypted connection. You can download PuTTY from its creator's website.

This page describes how to install and configure the client once it has been downloaded.

Installing PuTTY

The simplest PuTTY installation takes only three steps:

1. Download putty.exe.
2. Save it to a memorable location (for example, by creating a folder at C:\Program Files\PuTTY\).
3. Double-click putty.exe to launch the application.

However, if you would like the creator's help file as well, you should download the putty.zip file and extract all of the files into your memorable location (such as C:\Program Files\PuTTY\).

PuTTY installation does not automatically create shortcuts or menu items on your computer; you should make and place any shortcuts or menu items you would like. One simple way to do this is to right-click on the putty.exe file and select "Create Shortcut," then move the shortcut to your preferred location.

Configuring PuTTY

PuTTY's default configuration should work for most systems. However, there are a couple of simple steps that you can take to speed up the process of reconnecting to computers you use frequently.

Let's say you use PuTTY to connect to remsun.ews.uiuc.edu frequently. When you double-click PuTTY and the Configuration window opens, fill in the Session information as shown in this picture.

The most important information to include is:

• Host name or IP address: The name of the computer you're connecting to.
  (In the sample, we're using remsun.ews.uiuc.edu.)
• Port: 22
  (Port 22 is the standard port for secure connections.)
• Protocol: SSH
• Saved sessions text box: Enter a name that describes what you're connecting to.
  (In the sample, we're connecting to EWS.)

Next, click the Save button to save your current settings under the name you entered in the Saved Sessions text box. This picture shows a PuTTY configuration with the EWS definition saved.

To connect to one of your defined locations, select it from the list and click Open. A new window will appear. (If it's your first time connecting to a location, you will be prompted to choose whether or not to save the server's host key. In order to continue connecting, choose Yes.)

Next, you'll enter your user name and password for the computer you're connecting to.

After the computer accepts your user name and password (assuming they've been typed correctly), you're connected to the remote computer and can issue commands. A shell window will appear with a command prompt where you can type commands to the remote computer.

Once you're finished using the remote computer, type exit to log out and disconnect your SSH session. (Some servers expect a different command such as quit or logout, but exit is the most commonly supported option.)