How to Convert SSH Keys Generated from PowerShell to PuTTY .ppk for Secure Linux Connections

This tutorial will guide you through converting SSH keys generated with PowerShell's `ssh-keygen` command to a format compatible with PuTTY, a popular SSH client for Windows.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

1. SSH keys generated using PowerShell: Ensure you have generated SSH keys using PowerShell. If not, refer to my tutorial on How to Generate and Use SSH Keys on Windows Using PowerShell and Connect to a Linux Server first.

2. PuTTY and PuTTYgen installed: If not already installed, download and install both from the PuTTY website.

3. Linux Server with SSH Access: You should have SSH access to a Linux server, enabling remote management and configuration.

Step 1: Open PuTTYgen

Launch PuTTYgen from your Start menu or desktop shortcut. PuTTYgen is a utility that allows you to generate and manipulate SSH keys.

Step 2: Load the Private Key

1. In PuTTYgen, click the `Load` button. This action opens a file dialog.

2. Navigate to the directory where your SSH keys are stored, typically the location where you ran `ssh-keygen` in PowerShell.

3. Set the file type filter to `All Files (*)` to view all files in the directory.

4. Select your private key file (e.g., `my_ssh_key`), and then click `Open`. PuTTYgen will load the private key into its interface.

Step 3: Save the Private Key as a `.ppk` File

1. With the private key loaded in PuTTYgen, click the `Save private key` button.

2. You may see a prompt asking if you want to save the key without a passphrase. Choose `Yes` or `No` based on your security preference.

3. Save the file with a `.ppk` extension (e.g., `my_ssh_key.ppk`). This format is specific to PuTTY and necessary for authentication.

Step 4: Configure PuTTY to Use the Private Key

1. Open PuTTY, the SSH client where you will configure the connection settings.

2. In the `Session` category:

• Enter your Linux system's IP address or hostname in the `Host Name` (or IP address) field.

• Specify the port number if different from the default (usually `22` for SSH).

3. In the `Connection` > `SSH` > `Auth` category:

• Click `Browse` in the Private key file for authentication section.

• Navigate to the `.ppk` file you saved in `Step 3` and select it.

4. Return to the `Session` category:

• Enter a name for this session in the `Saved Sessions` field (e.g., My Linux Server).

• Click `Save` to save these settings for future use.

Step 5: Connect to Your Debian System

1. Double-click the saved session name in PuTTY or click `Open`.

2. PuTTY will use the `.ppk` file for authentication when connecting to your Linux system. If everything is configured correctly, you should successfully log into your Linux system.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully converted an SSH key generated using PowerShell to a PuTTY-compatible format and configured PuTTY to use this key for connecting to your Debian system. This process not only ensures a secure connection but also leverages the familiar interface of PuTTY for SSH access on Windows.

Published: June 22, 2024

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