Create a public key using putty so you can login via ssh key pair

3 Parts:

Instructions

Tips Tricks & Warnings

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To create an ssh key using putty you need to download the full putty suite. This procedure was not intuitive to me so I am writing out the exact steps for anyone to follow.

1. 1
   Download and install the putty suite using the new Windows installer

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   Don't be thrown off by the fact that it has not achieved version 1.0 yet. It works fine.

   

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2. 2
   Run Puttygen from the start menu, browsing under the newly installed putty folder as seen below

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3. 3
   Click on "Generate public/private key pair"

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4. 4
   Move your mouse around like mad to create real world random data so putty can generate a ssh key pair for you

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5. 5
   A public key will be generated as seen below

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6. 6
   Copy and paste it into notepad and hit save

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   You will need this later.

   

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7. 7
   Click on Save private key button and save out a ppk file with a name you will remember like puttyprivatekey.ppk

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   Important: If you don't want to have to enter a password every time you connect to your server do not enter a password in this screen. You will get a warning but ignore it.

   

   

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8. 8
   Configure putty to use this new key for the "connection" you wish

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   Launch Putty.exe and "load" the profile you want to add the ssh key pair to. THIS IS IMPORTANT. YOU MUST LOAD THE PROFILE FIRST OR THE NEXT STEP DOESN'T WORK. Now choose Connection > SSH > Auth in the left pane of the window. Now click the browse button and select your puttyprivatekey.ppk file.

   

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9. 9
   Now save this key to your connection profile

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   Now here is where I got stuck. The only button I could see after that was the open button. You do not click this button. Instead go back to your connection under the session screen by clicking on Category > Session in the left pane. It will already be loaded from the previous step. (If you didn't load it, it's too late.. go back a step) Now click on "Save".

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10. 10
    Next load your public key onto your server

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    Often your ISP will have a screen in their admin panel to do this.

    

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11. 11
    Now connect through your newly ssh key pair

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    You must enter the user ID you wish to connect using.

    

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12. 12
    If you added a password while creating your ssh key pair you must enter it now.

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• Creating a ssh key pair without a password is both convenient but dangerous. Be sure to keep your private key very safe if you choose not to use a password!
• You can also configure putty to auto login as a particular user for complete login automation under the category "Connection > Data" in the left pane.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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