---
title: how to use putty and ssh
date: 2012-03-12
keywords: [ssh, linux, unix, putty]
---

How to use [putty] and ssh:

1. Download the latest version of [putty][] from [the putty download page][download].
    You'll want `putty.exe` from the *release version for Windows on
    Intel x86* section ([direct download link][direct])

2. Put `putty.exe` somewhere in your `$PATH`, I normally just use `c:\windows`

3. Run `putty.exe`

4. Fill in the "*Host Name (or IP address)*" field
    with the username and hostname or IP address (eg
    `username@hostname` or `username@ipaddress`):
    ![putty configuration options](2012-03-12.how_to_use_putty_and_ssh_options.webp)

5. Make sure the *Connection tye* is set to *SSH*

6. Click the *Open* button. If it's the first time connecting to the host, you'll see a dialog box like this:  
    ![putty security alert](2012-03-12.how_to_use_putty_and_ssh_security.webp)

7. If everything has gone well, you'll connect as
    `username` and be able to type in your password:
    ![putty login](2012-03-12.how_to_use_putty_and_ssh_login.webp)

8. You should now be connected to the server

[putty]: http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/
[download]: http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html
[direct]: http://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/latest/x86/putty.exe