Save a Default Settings profile

Create a profile named Default Settings and set font, colors, window size, keyboard, and keepalives. Once saved, new sessions inherit these settings so you save time and keep a consistent setup.

Use Pageant every day

Start Pageant with Windows and load your private keys once. PuTTY, PSCP, and PSFTP can then log in without a password. Use a passphrase on keys and lock your computer to stay secure.

Create shortcuts with -load

Make desktop shortcuts that open a saved session using the -load parameter (e.g., prod-api or dev-db). It gives one-click access to your most-used servers and reduces errors and wasted time.

Tunneling as your Swiss Army knife

Use Local port forwarding for internal web apps and databases or Dynamic port forwarding as a temporary SOCKS proxy. Save tunnels in the session so they’re ready next time.

Log everything when troubleshooting

Enable Session Logging to a file when debugging. The log makes it easier to reproduce issues, document incidents, and share precise details with teammates. Remember to turn logging off afterward.

PuTTY

Martin Jørgensen

7 months ago

PuTTY – free SSH client for Windows (small, fast, and reliable)

Download PuTTY (official source)

PuTTY is a lightweight SSH and Telnet client for Windows that provides secure terminal access to servers. It launches in a split second, uses minimal resources, and ships with a handy toolkit (PuTTYgen, Pageant, PSCP, PSFTP, and Plink) covering everything from keys to file transfers and automation. That makes it ideal for developers, students, and sysadmins who want to log in, run commands, and streamline workflows without hassle.

What can PuTTY do?

Supports SSH, Telnet, Serial, and Raw connections
Rock-solid xterm emulation and granular control over encryption, keepalives, timeouts, and more
PuTTYgen to create SSH keys, Pageant as the SSH agent, PSCP/PSFTP for file transfers, and Plink for scripts/CI
Works both installed and as a portable ZIP — perfect for a USB stick or a jump host
Runs on modern Windows (x86-64/ARM64/32-bit)

Getting started

Launch PuTTY and fill in Host Name with the IP or domain.
Select SSH and port 22 (or the port your server uses).
Click Open, accept the server’s fingerprint, and log in with username/password or keys.
Save the connection as a Session (e.g., “prod-api” or “dev-db”) so you can reopen it with one click.

Keys and security (PuTTYgen & Pageant)

Create a key in PuTTYgen (ed25519 or RSA), store the private key safely, and copy the public key to ~/.ssh/authorized_keys on the server.
Run Pageant at startup and load your keys once—PuTTY/PSCP/PSFTP can then log in without a password.
Enable keepalives to avoid idle disconnects, and use logging when troubleshooting.

Performance, compatibility, and alternatives

PuTTY is known for stability and low RAM usage. If you want tabs and a fully graphical SFTP client in the same window, there are alternatives—but for pure, reliable terminal access, PuTTY remains one of the safest choices on Windows.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths: Lightning-fast launch, rock-solid stability, zero bloat, portable, strong key management, and great tools for file transfer/automation.
Weaknesses: Spartan UI, no built-in tabs, and first-time key setup can confuse new users.