How to Install PuTTY SSH for Windows 10/8/7

In this tutorial, learn how to download and use PuTTY for Windows 10,8.1,8,7.

PuTTY has taken the place of the previously available SSH Secure Shell for Windows as the preferred way of remote access for security concerns. PuTTY is a free SSH, SCP, and SFTP implementation for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux platforms. [SSH, SCP, and SFTP clients are usually included with macOS and Linux.]

Note: Administrator rights are required for installation (either using the Administrator account or your personal account must have Administrator permissions).

Download PuTTY

Step 1

Go to the official PuTTY download site in a web browser

Step 2

To get the 32-bit or 64-bit versions of the newest PuTTY release, look for the Package files, MSI (Window Installer).

The 32-bit version of PuTTY [version] installer.msi will run on all 32-bit and 64-bit versions of PC and Windows editions that PuTTY supports.
The 64-bit version of PuTTY-64bit [version] installer.msi will provide better performance if your PC processor and Windows edition are both 64-bit (typically true for relatively new Windows PC).
If you’re unsure about which version to install, go with the 32-bit option.

Install PuTTY

Step 1

Open Windows Explorer (Windows 10 prior to 10) or File Explorer (Windows 10). The shortcut Windows logo key + e is compatible with Windows 10 and prior versions. Double-click the installer file name in the Downloads directory (or wherever you saved the installer).

Step 2

The Welcome to the PuTTY Setup Wizard screen appears when the installer starts. Choose Next.

Step 3

The installation then requests the destination folder. Accepting the default is usually fine. On another hand, enter your preferred destination folder. Choose Next.

Step 4

After that, the installer will ask you which PuTTY features you want to install.

Step 5

Having a shortcut on your desktop is quite useful. Change the unavailable (red x) setting on the Add shortcut to PuTTY on the Desktop to Will be installed on a local hard drive. Choose Install. Allow the PuTTY Installer to run if you are prompted to do so.

Step 6

When the installation is finished, the installer will notify you. Choose Finish.

Starting PuTTY SSH

You have the PuTTY icon on your desktop if you generated the PuTTY desktop shortcut during the installation. To use the PuTTY SSH client, double-click the PuTTY icon.

If you didn’t make a desktop shortcut or can’t find it, click the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. Choose PuTTY from the menu item PuTTY or PuTTY (64-bit).

This will open the PuTTY Configuration window. In the “Host Name (or IP address)” section, type the hostname or IP address of the remote host you want to connect to, then click Open.

When you connect to a remote host for the first time, you are informed that the host’s SSH key is not cached in your PuTTY registry. This is very normal. To continue, select Yes to save the remote host’s SSH key in your local PuTTY registry. If you connect to the same remote host again in the future, you should not receive this alert.

Type your remote host username and password at the login as: and Password: prompts, respectively.

Starting PuTTY PSFTP

Step 1

On the bottom left of your desktop, choose the Windows Start button.

Step 2

Pull to menu item PuTTY or PuTTY (64-bit).

Step 3

Choose PSFTP. PSFTP is a secure file transfer (SFTP) client for PuTTY. PSFTP can be used to transfer files between your local PC and a remote host.

Step 4

Type open hostname, where hostname is the remote hostname or IP address to which you’d like to connect. For instance, go to mason.gmu.edu.

If you’re connecting to this remote host for the first time with PuTTY or PSFTP, you’ll be noticed that the remote host’s SSH host key isn’t cached in your PuTTY registry. This is very normal.

To continue, type Y to save the remote host’s SSH key to your local PuTTY registry. If you connect to the same remote host again in the future, you should not receive this alert.