Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PuTTY, SSH, and related tools. For step-by-step help, open the How to use page on this site.
What is PuTTY?
What is PuTTY?
PuTTY is a free open-source client for SSH, Telnet, rlogin, serial, and raw TCP. It provides a terminal window, session profiles, and optional tools for keys and file transfer.
Is PuTTY free?
Yes. PuTTY is distributed under the MIT Licence at no charge.
Is PuTTY safe?
Use the download flow on this site when that matches your policy, verify checksums if your security team requires them, and always check the host key on first connect to reduce interception risk.
Keys and authentication
What is PuTTYgen?
PuTTYgen creates SSH key pairs. On Windows it is included in the PuTTY installer; on Debian-based Linux you can install putty-tools for the puttygen command-line tool.
Should I use a passphrase on my private key?
Yes, unless you have a controlled alternative (for example hardware tokens). A passphrase protects the key if the file is copied.
Platforms and install
Which platforms are supported?
Windows has graphical PuTTY and PuTTYgen. macOS and Linux users often install via package managers; see PuTTYgen and Download for links and notes.
Where should I download from?
Use this site’s Download page and follow your organization’s software policy. For high-security environments, verify checksums and host keys as your administrator directs.
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