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What you’ll need

  • A Compute instance with your SSH public key uploaded
  • Windows 10 or later
  • Windows Terminal / PowerShell (OpenSSH)

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OpenSSH via Windows Terminal

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Step 1 – Check OpenSSH is installed

Open PowerShell and run:
You should see an OpenSSH version. If not, enable it:
  1. Settings → Apps → Optional features
  2. Add a feature → OpenSSH Client

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Step 2 – Create or convert your key

If you already have an OpenSSH private key, use it directly with Windows OpenSSH. If your key is in PuTTY’s .ppk format:
  1. Open PuTTYgen and load the private key.
  2. Select Conversions → Export OpenSSH key.
  3. Save the exported private key and use its path with ssh -i or IdentityFile below.
For a new key pair, follow Add an SSH key on Windows. Add only the public key to Compute.

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Step 3 – Create a config entry (optional)

In C:\Users\<you>\.ssh\config, add:
Replace YOUR_SSH_HOST and YOUR_SSH_USER with the values in the instance’s SSH connection details, and use your matching private key. Include any additional settings supplied by the console. See SSH configuration and host verification. Save, then simply:

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Step 4 – Connect manually

Without a config file, run:
Use the username and hostname from the console and the private key matching your uploaded public key.

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Troubleshooting OpenSSH

  • Permission denied → Wrong key or not uploaded
  • Connection timed out → Check internet/firewall
  • Unknown host → Typo in instance ID

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Common PuTTY pitfalls

  • Server unexpectedly closed connection → Wrong port or host name
  • No supported authentication methods available → Wrong key format
  • Support modern encryption and OpenSSH compatible formats