SSH operates by authenticating based on a key pair, with a private key being on a remote server and the connected public key on a local machine.
When the keys compare, access is granted to the remote user. The word SSH stands for Secure Shell is a method utilized to establish a secure connection between two computers.
There are various methods to generate SSH keys inside Windows 10. You can use different tools but the most famous and the most convenient is PuTTYGen.
In this article, you will learn how to generate an SSH key in Windows 10 using PuTTYGen. So stick this article upto the end you will find the best way.
What Is an SSH Key?
An SSH key (it has a public and private part) is used to attach a client to a server. It is interesting since it avoids having to enter a password every time we want to access a specific server.
The method, once configured, is automatic. An essential point is that we do not have to send the password over the network.
These kinds of keys also reduce the risk of brute force attacks and thus prevent a potential attacker from assuming the credentials accurately.
Safety is an extremely important factor and must always be kept in mind. There are some ways to allow or generate SSH in Windows 10.
In the following section, we will describe how to generate SSH key Windows using PuTTY. But before beginning, let us have some checks to see whether SSH Key exists in Windows or not.
Checking For Existing SSH Keys in Windows 10
Before generating an SSH key, you have to know better to check for existing SSH keys. For checking this you have to follow the below steps -
1. Click windows R and type cmd and click ok then open windows command line
2. In the command prompt environment, kind ssh-keygen.
3. If you do not have any SSH-keygen, you will see this message -
[ssh-keygen’ is not remembered as an internal or external command, operable program, or batch file]
4. The default directory for your SSH keys should be something like this
[ http://c/Users/YourUserName/%20.ssh/id_rsa.pub ]
If you do not have the SSH key then you have to generate the SSH key. So for generating an SSH key you have to follow the below section.
You can generate an SSH key by using PuTTY in an easy way.
What Does PuTTY Mean?
PuTTY is an open-source application creating the use of network protocols like Telnet and rlogin in Windows and UNIX platforms in conjunction with an xterm terminal emulator.
Over a network, PuTTY makes use of all the overhead protocols to allow a remote session on a computer.
It is a famous tool for text-based communication and is also a popular utility for connecting Linux servers from Microsoft operating system-based computers.
If you want to generate an SSH key using PuTTY then go through the next section.
Generate SSH Key Windows Using Putty
PuTTY is a free and open-source implementation used for terminal emulation in PCs operating in Microsoft Windows.
It can help with several protocols such as SSH, Telnet, SCP, rlogin, and raw socket connection. Utilizing PuTTY, you can generate SSH Key in Windows 10 via Windows terminal.
To generate SSH Key in Windows 10 using PuTTY, you have to execute the following steps -
Step 1 - Download PuTTY
If you don’t already have PuTTY on your system, you can download it from this link. www.PuTTYKey.com After downloading, install it.
Step 2 - Install PuTTY
By clicking on the downloaded file, you can start the installation process. Simply observe the installation wizard. On the first page, click on Next.
Next, choose the destination folder. The default destination is C drive\Program files\PuTTY\. You can change it to your preferred address.
Currently, it’s time to select Product features to be installed. If you do not have any specific needs, follow the default choice, and press on Install to move to the next screen.
Congratulations. You install PuTTY. You completed the first steps to generate an SSH Key in Windows 10. Currently, let’s jump into the next step -
Step 3 - Run the PuTTY SSH Key Generator
Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
In the search bar, type PuTTYgen.
Right-Click on PuTTYgen, and choose Run as administrator.
If prompted, select YES.
Step 4 - Use Putty to Generate SSH Key in Windows 10
Now, to generate SSH Key in Windows 10, do the following steps -
On the PuTTY generator page, press on generate.
The thing about moving the cursor is a joke, so no requirement to tire yourself out. Remain until the progress bar is all green.
Keep the public key by clicking on the Save public key button. Select a location for saving this key and give it a name.
To save the Private Key, press on the Conversation menu.
By clicking on Export OpenSSH Key, you will be asked, “Are you sure you want to save the key without a passphrase to protect it?”
Select “yes.” Select a location for saving the Key.
Give your private key a name.
Congratulations. You have worked to generate the SSH key we wanted by using PuTTY, one of the best SSH clients for Windows.
Of course, you can also generate keys using OpenSSH, the client native to Windows 10, but the app lacks some of the additional important features, so most prefer using PuTTY or its alternatives.
Features Of PuTTY
Can control the type of encryption protocol using an SSH connection.
Asset public key authentication.
Help for local serial port connections.
Command-line SCP and SFTP clients, called "pscp" and "psftp" respectively.
Output Logging
Supports SSH and Telnet protocols Easy interface Free download
The executable program is highly portable
Our Thought
This article has provided detailed information about how to generate SSH keys on windows and also gives the steps to generate SSH keys on windows 10 using PuTTY. If you have any questions regarding this article then let me know in the comment section.