PuTTY Download & SSH Client
Complete Guide
Official PuTTY installation guide and SSH client tutorials. Download PuTTY for Windows, learn putty features, and master this trusted putty ssh client used by 50M+ users worldwide.
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What You'll Find Here
PuTTY Installation Guide
Learn what is putty software, how to use putty, and complete putty installation tutorials for Windows and portable versions.
Explore Basics →PuTTY Download & Setup
Download putty for windows, putty free download guides, putty portable setup, and complete putty configuration tutorials.
Setup Guides →PuTTYgen & Key Tools
Complete guides for puttygen.exe, puttygen download, putty key generator, pscp putty, and putty scp file transfer tools.
Explore Tools →Advanced Usage
Automation with Plink, SSH scripting, cloud integration, and power user techniques for PuTTY.
Advanced Guides →Troubleshooting
Common errors, connection issues, and solutions. Find fixes for "Connection Refused," session problems, and more.
Get Help →Alternatives
Objective comparisons with KiTTY, Bitvise, Solar-PuTTY, WinSCP, and other SSH clients for different use cases.
Compare Tools →Popular Guides
What is PuTTY Software?
Complete introduction to putty software, putty meaning, and putty features
PuTTY Download for Windows
Download putty for windows - installation guide and setup
PuTTYgen Download Guide
Puttygen.exe download and putty key generator tutorial
PuTTY SSH Key Setup
Putty ssh key authentication with putty keygen
Fix "Connection Refused" Error
Common putty ssh connection issues and solutions
PuTTY Alternatives
Kitty putty and other putty alternatives comparison
Complete PuTTY Suite
| Tool | Purpose | Best For | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| PuTTY | SSH/Telnet/Serial client | Remote server access | Windows, Linux |
| PuTTYgen | SSH key generator | Creating secure keys | Windows, Linux |
| PSCP | Secure file copy (command-line) | Automated file transfers | Windows, Linux |
| PSFTP | Interactive SFTP client | File management | Windows, Linux |
| Plink | Command-line SSH client | Scripting & automation | Windows, Linux |
| Pageant | SSH authentication agent | Key management | Windows |
Quick Start Guide
Basic SSH Connection
Download and install PuTTY from the official website
Enter hostname/IP address and port (usually 22 for SSH)
Select SSH connection type and click "Open"
Enter username and password when prompted
SSH Key Authentication
Generate SSH key pair using PuTTYgen
Copy public key to server's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
Load private key in PuTTY's Auth configuration
Connect without entering password
PuTTY vs Alternatives
| Feature | PuTTY | OpenSSH | Bitvise | Solar-PuTTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free & Open Source | ✓ | ✓ | Freemium | ✓ |
| Windows Native | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Session Management | ✓ | Config files | ✓ | ✓ |
| File Transfer GUI | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tabbed Interface | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PuTTY safe to use?
Yes, PuTTY is completely safe when downloaded from the official website. It's open-source software that has been audited by security experts and is trusted by millions of users worldwide.
Can I use PuTTY on Mac or Linux?
While PuTTY was originally designed for Windows, it's now available for Linux. Mac users typically use the built-in Terminal with SSH, but PuTTY can be installed via package managers like Homebrew.
What's the difference between SSH and Telnet?
SSH is encrypted and secure, while Telnet sends data in plain text. Always use SSH for connecting to servers over the internet. Telnet should only be used for local network devices or legacy systems.
How do I save my connection settings?
Enter your connection details in PuTTY, type a name in the "Saved Sessions" field, and click "Save". You can then load these settings anytime by selecting the session name and clicking "Load".
Why can't I connect to my server?
Common issues include wrong hostname/IP, incorrect port (default SSH is 22), firewall blocking connections, or server SSH service not running. Check our troubleshooting guide for detailed solutions.
Do I need to install all PuTTY tools?
No, you can install just what you need. Most users only need PuTTY itself. Add PuTTYgen if you want to create SSH keys, or PSCP/PSFTP for file transfers.
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Ready to Master PuTTY?
Start with our beginner-friendly guides or dive into advanced tutorials. Everything you need to know about PuTTY in one place.