This quick guide will show you how to enable SSH on your Windows 10 device so that you can connect to remote servers via the Command Prompt.
- Start out by visiting the OpenSSH for Windows download page (link opens in a new tab/window). The current version of OpenSSH for Windows is 7.2p1-1 – so look for the section titled OpenSSH 7.2p1-1 and download the file named setupssh-7.2p1-1.exe. If there’s a newer version, download that one. The steps to install it will almost certainly be nearly identical.
- When the file has finished downloading, run it. The OpenSSH installer will run. Click Next on the introduction window.
- Review the License Agreement and then place a check in the box saying you accept those terms. Then, click Next.
- Since you probably do not want to run an SSH server on your Windows 10 desktop/laptop/tablet, make sure to remove the checkmark from the box labeled Server – then click the Next button.
Note: if the idea of running an SSH server does appeal to you, I would still strongly suggest you do not install it at this time and research it a bit first. You can always come back and install the Server using this same installation file.
- Unless you have reason to, leave the installation location as it is and click the Next button.
- For the last time – click the Next button …
- and then the Finish button.
- Now open up a Command Prompt and try to SSH somewhere.
- Confirm connection if needed…
- It works! You can now SSH from the Windows command line!
- Related: if you want to use the Chrome web browser to SSH, you can do that too.
