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Connect to a Server with SSH Using PuTTY

This guide shows you how to log in to a server using PuTTY on Windows. You will type commands and see the server answer.

Windows Hosting2 min read11 steps6 screenshots

What is SSH?

SSH stands for Secure Shell. It is a safe way to control another computer by typing commands. Everything you send is scrambled so nobody can read it. A server is a computer that runs your website all day. PuTTY is a free Windows program that speaks SSH. If you do not have it yet, see our guide on installing PuTTY.

What you need

  • The server IP address or host name.
  • Your user name and password.
  • The SSH port. It is usually 22.

These are in your welcome email. Check your client area at https://secure.hostvento.com/clientarea.php. If SSH is not turned on for your plan, ask Hostvento support.

Steps

  1. Click Start and open PuTTY.
    Windows PuTTY 1
  2. In Host Name (or IP address), type your server IP.
  3. Check that Port is 22 and Connection type is SSH.
  4. Optional: type a name in Saved Sessions and click Save.
  5. Click Open.
  6. The first time, a PuTTY Security Alert appears. It asks if you trust the server's key. Click Accept if you are sure the address is right.
  7. A black window opens. At login as:, type your user name and press Enter.
  8. Type your password and press Enter. Nothing shows while you type. This is normal.
    Windows PuTTY 2

When you see a line ending in $ or #, you are in.

A few first commands

pwd
ls
cd public_html

pwd shows the folder you are in. ls lists the files there. cd public_html moves into a folder named public_html.

To leave, type exit and press Enter.

Use a private key instead of a password

  1. In PuTTY, open Connection, then SSH, then Auth, then Credentials.
  2. Click Browse and select your .ppk private key file.
    Windows PuTTY Private key
  3. Go back to Session and click Open.
    Windows PuTTY Host name

If it does not connect

  • "Connection timed out": the IP or port may be wrong, or a firewall blocks it.
    Windows PuTTY username
  • "Connection refused": the SSH service may be off.
  • "Access denied": the user name or password is wrong.
Warning: Commands run on a real server. Wrong commands, like those that delete files, can break your site. Take a backup first.

Quick recap

  • SSH lets you control a server with typed commands.
    Windows PuTTy key browser
  • Enter the IP, keep port 22 and click Open.
  • Log in with your user name and password, or a key.
  • Type exit to leave.