{"id":9514,"date":"2026-06-03T05:59:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T03:59:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/?post_type=manual_kb&#038;p=9514"},"modified":"2026-06-03T05:59:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T03:59:33","slug":"how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen","status":"publish","type":"manual_kb","link":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Generate SSH Keys on Windows Using PuTTYgen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PuTTYgen is a tool included with the PuTTY suite that allows you to generate SSH key pairs for secure authentication when connecting to a server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An SSH key pair consists of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <strong>private key<\/strong>, which remains on your computer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>public key<\/strong>, which is added to the server.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/#Step_1_Download_and_Open_PuTTYgen\" >Step 1: Download and Open PuTTYgen<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/#Step_2_Generate_a_New_Key_Pair\" >Step 2: Generate a New Key Pair<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/#Step_3_Protect_the_Private_Key\" >Step 3: Protect the Private Key<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/#Step_4_Save_the_Keys\" >Step 4: Save the Keys<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/#Save_the_Public_Key\" >Save the Public Key<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/#Save_the_Private_Key\" >Save the Private Key<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/#Step_5_Add_the_Public_Key_to_the_Server\" >Step 5: Add the Public Key to the Server<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/#Using_the_Private_Key_with_PuTTY\" >Using the Private Key with PuTTY<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/#Security_Recommendations\" >Security Recommendations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/knowledgebase\/how-to-generate-ssh-keys-on-windows-using-puttygen\/#Summary\" >Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_1_Download_and_Open_PuTTYgen\"><\/span>Step 1: Download and Open PuTTYgen<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"mybox-2963057616\" class=\"mybox-content mybox-entity-placement\"><div class=\"early-access-banner-inpost\">\r\n  <div class=\"banner-left-inpost\">\r\n    <div class=\"icon-box-inpost\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/square-info-icon.svg\" alt=\"Info\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"text-box-inpost\">\r\n      <span class=\"label-inpost\"><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Early access<\/span><\/span>\r\n      <h4><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Still need help?<\/span><\/h4>\r\n      <p><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Contact our customer service team.<\/span><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <div class=\"banner-right-inpost\">\r\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/panel.mybox.com\/helpdesk2\/v\/list\/\" class=\"banner-button-inpost\"><span class=\"translation-block translation-block-banner-text\">Message us<\/span><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Download and install PuTTYgen as part of the PuTTY package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Launch <strong>PuTTYgen<\/strong> from the Start menu or installation directory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_2_Generate_a_New_Key_Pair\"><\/span>Step 2: Generate a New Key Pair<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the PuTTYgen window, click <strong>Generate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the key is being generated, move your mouse cursor randomly inside the application window. These movements provide the randomness needed to create a secure key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the process is complete, PuTTYgen will display the generated key information.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"619\" height=\"486\" src=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-45.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-45.png 619w, https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-45-300x236.png 300w, https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-45-15x12.png 15w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 619px) 100vw, 619px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\">\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_3_Protect_the_Private_Key\"><\/span>Step 3: Protect the Private Key<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the following fields, enter a passphrase:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Key passphrase<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Confirm passphrase<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A passphrase helps protect the private key if it is copied or accessed by an unauthorized person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For better security, use a strong passphrase containing a combination of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Uppercase letters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lowercase letters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Numbers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Special characters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"487\" src=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-46.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-46.png 615w, https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-46-300x238.png 300w, https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-46-15x12.png 15w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\">\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_4_Save_the_Keys\"><\/span>Step 4: Save the Keys<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After generating the key pair, save both files:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Save_the_Public_Key\"><\/span>Save the Public Key<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Click:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Save public key<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose a secure location on your computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Save_the_Private_Key\"><\/span>Save the Private Key<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Click:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Save private key<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose a secure location and store the file safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> Never share your private key with anyone.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"614\" height=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-47.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-47.png 614w, https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-47-300x104.png 300w, https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-47-18x6.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 614px) 100vw, 614px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"translation-block translation-block-merged\">\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Step_5_Add_the_Public_Key_to_the_Server\"><\/span>Step 5: Add the Public Key to the Server<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Open the public key file or copy the public key displayed in the PuTTYgen window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Add the key to the following file on the server:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>~\/.ssh\/authorized_keys<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The public key must be added on a separate line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Using_the_Private_Key_with_PuTTY\"><\/span>Using the Private Key with PuTTY<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When connecting through PuTTY:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open PuTTY.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Navigate to <strong>Connection \u2192 SSH \u2192 Auth \u2192 Credentials<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select your saved private key file.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connect to the server normally.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PuTTY will use the private key for authentication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Security_Recommendations\"><\/span>Security Recommendations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep your private key in a secure location.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a passphrase to protect the key.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not send private keys by email or messaging applications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remove unused public keys from servers periodically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary\"><\/span>Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To generate SSH keys on Windows, use PuTTYgen to create a key pair, protect the private key with a passphrase, and save both the public and private keys. The public key should then be added to the server&#8217;s <code>~\/.ssh\/authorized_keys<\/code> file to enable SSH key authentication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","manualknowledgebasecat":[54],"manual_kb_tag":[952,953,954,2861,5287,5288,5289,5290,5291,5292],"class_list":["post-9514","manual_kb","type-manual_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","manualknowledgebasecat-ssh","manual_kb_tag-public-key","manual_kb_tag-private-key","manual_kb_tag-key-pair","manual_kb_tag-key-generation","manual_kb_tag-pugen","manual_kb_tag-passphrase-protection","manual_kb_tag-passphrase-strength","manual_kb_tag-generate-key-pair","manual_kb_tag-save-private-key","manual_kb_tag-save-public-key"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/9514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/manual_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/9514\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9521,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb\/9514\/revisions\/9521"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"manualknowledgebasecat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manualknowledgebasecat?post=9514"},{"taxonomy":"manual_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mybox.com\/help\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/manual_kb_tag?post=9514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}