How to Use SSH to Connect to a Remote Server on Windows

SSH (Secure Shell) is a powerful tool that allows you to connect and manage remote servers securely. If you’re a Windows user, you can use SSH to connect to remote servers, too. This tutorial will teach you the basics of using SSH on a Windows machine.

Prerequisites:

Before you start, you’ll need:

• A remote server to connect to
• An SSH client for Windows (we’ll use OpenSSH, which is included with Windows 10 and later versions)
• Your username and the server’s IP address or hostname
• The password or SSH key for authentication

Step 1: Install an SSH Client

If you’re using Windows 10 or later, OpenSSH is already included. To check if it’s installed, open the Command Prompt and type:

```shell

ssh -V

```

If it’s not installed, you can add it from Windows Settings:

– Go to **Settings > Apps > Optional Features**.

– Scroll down and click on “Add a feature.”

– Search for “OpenSSH Client” and click “Install.”

Step 2: Open the Command Prompt

On your Windows machine, open the Command Prompt. You can do this by searching for “cmd” or “Command Prompt” in the Start menu.

Step 3: Use SSH to Connect

To connect to your remote server, use the following command:

```shell

ssh username@remote-server-ip

```

Replace `username` with your actual username on the remote server and `remote-server-ip` with the IP address or hostname of the remote server.

Example:

```shell

ssh john@example.com

```

Step 4: Authenticate Yourself

You have 2 options for authentication.

Password Authentication

If you’re using password authentication, you’ll be prompted to enter your password. Simply type it in and press Enter. Be careful when typing passwords; they won’t be displayed on the screen for security reasons.

Key-based Authentication

If you’re using SSH keys, make sure you have your private key ready. SSH will automatically use your local private key for authentication. If you’re prompted for a passphrase (if you set one when creating your key), enter it.

Conclusion

You’ve successfully connected to a remote server using SSH on your Windows machine. You can now use the terminal to execute commands on the remote server securely. Make sure to log out of the remote server when you’re done by typing `exit` in the Command Prompt.