How to Install PuTTY on Windows

August 23, 2021

Introduction

PuTTY is an open-source SSH and Telnet client developed for Windows. This terminal emulator allows users to remotely connect to a computer to securely transfer files and manipulate data.

In this tutorial, you will learn to install and configure PuTTY on Windows.

How to Install PuTTY on Windows

Prerequisites:

  • A system running Windows
  • Administrator privileges

Installing Putty on Windows

Follow the steps below to download, configure, install, and run PuTTY on your Windows machine.

Note: PuTTY is an SSH client. Read our article about how SSH works to understand it fully.

Step 1: Download the Installer

Download the latest PuTTY version from the official website:

https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html

Choose the appropriate PuTTY version from the official website.

Choose the appropriate MSI installer version for your system. Download the 64-bit version for 64-bit systems or the 32-bit version of PuTTY if your system is 32-bit. Save the file to the desired folder.

Step 2: Configuration and Installation

1. Double-click the downloaded MSI file to start the installation.

2. Click Next on the welcome screen to continue with the installation.

PuTTY installation welcome screen.

3. Click Next if you don't need to modify the installation path. Click Change... to specify another path.

Choose the installation folder for PuTTY.

4. Select which product features you want to install. Click Install.

Choose which PuTTY features to install.

5. Upon completing the installation, the program shows a 'Setup complete' screen. Check/uncheck the View README file option if you want to see the developer's notes. Click Finish to exit the installer.

A successful PuTTY installation window.

Step 3: Run Putty

Run PuTTY after the installation to make sure it functions properly.

Double-click the icon on Desktop or search 'putty' in the search bar and press Enter.

How to run PuTTY after installation.

If there were no issues during installation, the PuTTY configuration window opens:

The PuTTY configuration window allows you to specify how you want to connect.

The configuration options allow you to set up the connection type, port, and connect to a server. Choose between SSH, Telnet, SUPDUP, raw, rlogin, serial, or bare SSH connection, and enter a server hostname or IP address.

Note: If you are looking for an alternative to PuTTY, refer to our article Best PuTTy Alternatives.

Conclusion

After following this tutorial, you should have PuTTY installed on Windows and ready to use. Feel free to test the different options PuTTY has to offer.

Read our comparison article if you want to learn more about the difference between SSH and Telnet, PuTTY's main features.

For Ubuntu and Mac installation guides, check out our articles on installing PuTTY on Ubuntu and installing PuTTY on Mac.

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Bosko Marijan
Having worked as an educator and content writer, combined with his lifelong passion for all things high-tech, Bosko strives to simplify intricate concepts and make them user-friendly. That has led him to technical writing at PhoenixNAP, where he continues his mission of spreading knowledge.
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