How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

Have you ever wanted to control your Windows remotely using the command line? With the SSH network protocol, you can! Telnet is another way to achieve this, but it is not as secure as SSH. In this simple guide, I will tell you on how to setup a SSH server in Windows with freeSSHd.

With this setup, you can now access and manage your PC from another computer using the Windows command line. That means that you can copy, edit, move and delete files inside your home computer from another computer in the office, for example. Furthermore, the SSH network protocol secures the connection between the two connected computers! If you are interested, you can read more on SSH.

Step 1: Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

This is an absolute noob guide , so I’ll explain in detail. If you are an advanced user (boo!), you are welcome to skip the installation steps.

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

Step 2: Run freeSSHd

Double click the freeSSHd icon on the desktop to load your SSH server. You can see the freeSSHd icon on your system tray.

Right click on the icon and click Settings.

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

Make sure that the freeSSHd settings page (Server Settings tab) shows that your “SSH server is running”.

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

Step 3: Create a New SSH User

Click on the Users tab. You need to create at least one user account that will act as your SSH remote user account.

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

Click “Add” to create a new user. Fill in the user details, following the example shown below (with your own unique username and password, duh!). Click OK and make sure it appear on the Users tab list.

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

Step 4: Test SSH Access with Putty (Local)

Using the same computer that you install freeSSHd previously, download Putty. Putty is a desktop or command line client that you can use to access SSH servers.

Double click the Putty installer to run it. Fill in the details as shown in the diagram below. 127.0.0.1 means that you are testing the SSH access from a local connection.

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

Press “Yes” on the security alert screen. Insert your SSH username and password that you have created previously.

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

If you get a Windows Command Prompt, you have successfully access your SSH server! Congratulations!

Connect your computer to the Internet / local network and take note of your computer’s IP address.

Step 5: Test SSH Access with Putty (Remote)

Using another computer e.g. your office computer, download Putty again.

Repeat step 12 to 13 above but this time, use your SSH server IP address (type it inside Host Name or IP Address field).

If you get a Windows command prompt, you have successfully access your SSH server from a remote computer! Double congrats to you!

How to Setup SSH Server in Windows with freeSSHd

Enjoy! You will find the freeSSHd even on HeelpBook, down here.

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