PuTTY is a free, widely used SSH client for Windows that lets you connect to your hosting account's command line. If you need to run commands directly on your server, whether for a script, a developer tool, or troubleshooting, PuTTY is one of the simplest ways to do it from a Windows computer.
Before You Start
SSH access has to be enabled on your hosting account before you can connect. If you haven't done this yet, see how to enable and use SSH access on your hosting account first, then come back to these steps.
You'll also need the following details, which you can find in your control panel:
- Your server's hostname or IP address
- Your SSH port (usually 22, unless your host has set a custom port)
- Your control panel username
- Your control panel password, or an SSH key if you've set one up
Step 1: Download and Install PuTTY
- Go to the official PuTTY download page and download the Windows installer that matches your system (64-bit or 32-bit).
- Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete installation.
- Open PuTTY from your Start menu once installation finishes.
Step 2: Enter Your Connection Details
- In the PuTTY configuration window, find the Host Name (or IP address) field and enter your server's hostname or IP address.
- In the Port field, enter 22 (or your custom SSH port, if different).
- Under Connection type, make sure SSH is selected.
- Click Open to start the connection.
The first time you connect to a new server, PuTTY will show a security alert asking you to confirm the server's host key. This is normal. Click Accept to continue and save the key for future connections.
Step 3: Log In
- A terminal window will open and prompt you for a username. Type your control panel username and press Enter.
- When prompted for a password, type it and press Enter. The characters won't appear on screen as you type, this is normal for SSH terminals.
- Once authenticated, you'll see a command prompt showing you're logged in to your server.
Saving Your Session for Next Time
You don't need to re-enter your hostname and port every time you connect. Before clicking Open, type a name for your connection in the Saved Sessions field and click Save. Next time you open PuTTY, double-click the saved session name to connect instantly.
Using an SSH Key Instead of a Password
If you've set up SSH key authentication for extra security, you'll need to point PuTTY to your private key instead of using a password:
- In the left-hand category tree, go to Connection > SSH > Auth > Credentials (in older versions this is under Connection > SSH > Auth).
- Click Browse next to the private key field and select your .ppk key file. PuTTY uses its own key format, so if your key was generated elsewhere you may need to convert it first using the PuTTYgen tool included in the PuTTY installer.
- Go back to the Session category, enter your host details as before, and click Open.
Be careful with any command you run once connected. Unlike a control panel, SSH gives you direct access to your account's files and settings with no confirmation prompts, so mistakes here can affect your live website.