Windows - How to Enable OpenSSH Client (SSH)

This article explains how to enable, use, and/or disable the OpenSSH Client (SSH) feature on your Windows device.

Overview

This article explains how to enable, use, and disable OpenSSH Client (SSH) on your Windows device.

• Enabling the OpenSSH Client on Windows 11
• Using the OpenSSH Client to Access Your Server
• Using the OpenSSH Client for SFTP
• Disabling the OpenSSH Client

Enabling the OpenSSH Client on Windows 11

1. Open the Settings application and search for Optional features.
2. The Optional features menu lists out features already added on your device under Added features. If the OpenSSH Client is listed, the feature has already been enabled and no further action is necessary. If the OpenSSH Client is not listed, click on View features.
3. In the following menu, search for OpenSSH Client.
4. Click on the checkbox next to OpenSSH Client and then click Next. In the following window, click Add to confirm the installation.
5. Windows will then install the OpenSSH Client. Once completed, the feature will be listed under Added features and will be ready to use.

Using the OpenSSH Client to Access Your Server

You can use the OpenSSH Client in Windows to access your server through the following steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt application.
2. In the Command Prompt application, type the following command:
   ssh <username>@your.server.hostnameOrIP 
   where <username> is your account's username.
3. When prompted, type the password to your account and then press the enter key. You will then be connected to your server's account.

Using the OpenSSH Client for SFTP

The OpenSSH Client also allows the use of SFTP within the Command Prompt application. To use the OpenSSH Client as a SFTP client, please use the following instructions:

1. Open the Command Prompt application.
2. In the Command Prompt application, type the following command:
   sftp <username>@your.server.hostnameOrIP 
   where <username> is your account's username.
3. When prompted, type the password to your account and then press the enter key. You will then be connected to your server's account.

Disabling the OpenSSH Client

You can disable the OpenSSH Client on your Windows device through the following steps:

1. Open the Start menu and search for Optional features.
2. In the list of Added features, click on OpenSSH Client and select Remove. Once the uninstall is complete, the OpenSSH Client will be disabled.

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