> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledgebase.newyorkcityservers.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# SSH to Linux VPS from Windows

> Step by step process to log into your Linux VPS over SSH from a Windows PC, using built-in OpenSSH or PuTTY.

<Info>
  This guide is for clients who have selected Ubuntu as their VPS operating system. If your VPS is running Windows, see the [Windows VPS connection guide](/connect/windows) instead.
</Info>

## Option 1: Built-in OpenSSH (PowerShell)

Windows 10 (build 1809+) and Windows 11 ship with **OpenSSH Client** enabled by default — no installation needed. You can connect using the built-in PowerShell or Windows Terminal.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open PowerShell">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=7065d7449891c961e56685fe253c8bb8" alt="SSH from Windows step 1" width="1360" height="800" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win1.png" />

    Open the **Start menu**, type **`PowerShell`** (or **`Terminal`** on Windows 11), and press **Enter** to launch it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the SSH command">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=847fa6d3d2bdc025e9d2b5a864723e3c" alt="SSH from Windows step 2" width="1360" height="800" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win2.png" />

    Type the following, replacing `YOUR_VPS_IP` with the IP address from your welcome email, then press **Enter**:

    ```powershell theme={null}
    ssh root@YOUR_VPS_IP
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept the host key fingerprint">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=9f4f053920e3842fb41ff56085e29330" alt="SSH from Windows step 3" width="1360" height="800" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win3.png" />

    The first time you connect, SSH shows the server's key fingerprint. Type **`yes`** and press **Enter** to save it to your local trust list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your password">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win4.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=7c356bc7492740b9c9f74638dec83321" alt="SSH from Windows step 4" width="1360" height="800" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win4.png" />

    When prompted, paste or type your **VPS root password** from the welcome email and press **Enter**.

    <Tip>
      Characters will not appear on screen as you type the password — this is normal SSH behavior. You can paste with **Ctrl+V** in PowerShell.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connected">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win5.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=d58a1ee432345c0028b0099bbc202ccf" alt="SSH from Windows step 5" width="1360" height="800" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win5.png" />

    You're now logged into your Linux VPS. The title bar changes to `root@<hostname>` and the prompt becomes a Linux shell (`#`). To disconnect, type `exit` and press **Enter**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Option 2: PuTTY

If you prefer a graphical client with saved session profiles, PuTTY is a popular free SSH client for Windows.

<Warning>
  Only download PuTTY from the **[official site](https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html)**. Many third-party "putty.org" style mirrors distribute outdated builds or malware bundles.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download PuTTY from the official site">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win-putty1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=0a4d864bd2e31fada52f789cc10eddc5" alt="PuTTY official download page" width="1920" height="1080" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win-putty1.png" />

    Open [chiark.greenend.org.uk/\~sgtatham/putty/latest.html](https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html) and, under the **MSI ('Windows Installer')** section, download **`putty-64bit-X.XX-installer.msi`**. The 32-bit version is only for very old PCs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the installer">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win-putty2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=94b54a2475fc0cacaf6364664b322e3a" alt="PuTTY setup wizard" width="501" height="403" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win-putty2.png" />

    Double-click the downloaded MSI to launch the **PuTTY release X.XX (64-bit) Setup Wizard**, then click **Next** through the wizard accepting the defaults, and **Finish** when complete.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch PuTTY">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win-putty3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=6552656941e21d04f3337fe82b1b7258" alt="PuTTY Configuration window" width="455" height="442" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win-putty3.png" />

    Open the **Start menu**, type **`PuTTY`**, and launch it. The **PuTTY Configuration** window opens to the Session category.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your VPS IP">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win-putty4.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=fb5eec0bb3914d30cd2824dc510789be" alt="PuTTY with VPS host filled in" width="455" height="442" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win-putty4.png" />

    In **Host Name (or IP address)** enter the IP from your welcome email. Leave **Port** at **22** and **Connection type** at **SSH**. Click **Open**.

    <Tip>
      To save these settings for future use, type a name (e.g. "My Linux VPS") in **Saved Sessions** and click **Save** before clicking Open. Next time, just double-click the saved session to connect.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept the host key">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win-putty5.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=579a0c58a46d4e21c3d785833d87913d" alt="PuTTY Security Alert dialog" width="685" height="480" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win-putty5.png" />

    On first connect, PuTTY shows a **Security Alert** with the server's RSA key fingerprint. Click **Accept** to cache the key and continue.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log in as root">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win-putty6.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=ffa5996376cc8513be8ccdaeaccab97f" alt="PuTTY login as prompt" width="685" height="435" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win-putty6.png" />

    PuTTY opens a terminal showing `login as:`. Type **`root`**, press **Enter**, then enter your **VPS root password** when prompted.

    <Tip>
      To paste your password in PuTTY, copy it on Windows first, then **right-click** inside the PuTTY terminal window. Ctrl+V does not work at the PuTTY password prompt. Characters will not appear as you type — this is normal.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connected">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/greenhilltechnologiesinc/6Q17JAAYSp755V-N/images/connect/ssh-win-putty7.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=6Q17JAAYSp755V-N&q=85&s=5d7428161d09dec49f0fdad3d074b615" alt="PuTTY connected to Linux VPS" width="685" height="435" data-path="images/connect/ssh-win-putty7.png" />

    You're now logged in to your Linux VPS. The title bar shows `root@<hostname>` and the prompt becomes a Linux shell (`#`). To disconnect, type `exit` and press **Enter**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Connection refused or timeout">
    Wait **at least 5–10 minutes** after receiving your welcome email — the Linux installation finishes provisioning during that window. If the problem persists, double-check the IP from your email matches what you typed, and confirm your local network does not block outbound port 22 (some corporate or hotel networks do).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Password is rejected">
    Copy your password directly from the welcome email rather than retyping it. In PuTTY, **right-click** inside the terminal to paste — Ctrl+V does not work at the password prompt. If the password still fails, you can [reset it](/management/password-management) from the client portal.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="&#x22;REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED&#x22; warning">
    This warning appears if your VPS was reinstalled or its host keys regenerated. After confirming the server is genuinely yours (e.g. you just triggered a reinstall), remove the cached key:

    * **OpenSSH:** run `ssh-keygen -R YOUR_VPS_IP` in PowerShell, then reconnect.
    * **PuTTY:** click **Accept** on the new fingerprint warning that appears on next connect.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Slow or laggy connection">
    SSH responsiveness depends on the physical distance between you and the VPS. Use the [Latency Checker](https://newyorkcityservers.com/broker-latency) to verify you picked the region closest to you. For long-running interactive sessions, consider installing `tmux` or `screen` on the VPS so the session survives brief network drops.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>