Create an SSH Key on Windows
Windows 10 and 11 include OpenSSH, so ssh-keygen works in PowerShell with no extra software.
- Free
- No Sign-Up
- Runs in Your Browser
Key Type
Your Computer
Recommended for almost everything: short, fast and secure. Supported by OpenSSH 6.5 (2014) and later. Set a passphrase when asked.
1. Create the Key (on Your Computer)
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -a 100 -C "you@laptop" -f $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519
2. Copy It to the Server
type $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub | ssh root@your-server "umask 077; mkdir -p ~/.ssh; cat >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys"
3. Optional: $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\config
Host your-server
User root
IdentityFile $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519
IdentitiesOnly yes4. Switch Off Password Logins
# On the server, after a key login works in a second window: sudo tee /etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/10-keys-only.conf >/dev/null <<'EOF' PasswordAuthentication no KbdInteractiveAuthentication no PermitRootLogin prohibit-password EOF sudo sshd -t && sudo systemctl reload ssh || sudo systemctl reload sshd
SSH Key Generator
On Windows
Commandssh-keygen -t ed25519 -a 100
Files%USERPROFILE%\.ssh\id_ed25519
No ssh-copy-idUse the PowerShell line below instead
Windows has no ssh-copy-id, so the generator gives a PowerShell line that appends your public key to the server's authorized_keys.
Key Types
Questions
Do I need PuTTY to make SSH keys on Windows?
No. The built-in OpenSSH client's ssh-keygen works in PowerShell and Windows Terminal.
Free Tools
More tools
SSH Key GeneratorCommands to create an SSH key on your own machine and install it safely.Linux Command GeneratorReady-to-run commands for disks, networking, services, logs and diagnostics.Firewall Rule GeneratorGenerate iptables, nftables and UFW rules for common server set-ups.Chmod CalculatorLinux file permissions in octal and symbolic form, both ways.
Run VMs for other people?
Frabs stops spam, scans and floods leaving your customers' VMs, before the abuse report lands.