SSH Access with PuTTY and FileZilla

Guide for Windows users who prefer graphical tools to connect to server.

---

PuTTY: SSH Connection from Windows

Installation

Download PuTTY from putty.org (.msi version recommended, includes PuTTYgen and PSCP).

Basic Connection

1. Open PuTTY
2. Enter:
   • Host Name: your server IP (es. 185.100.xxx.xxx)
   • Port: 22 (or custom SSH port)
   • Connection type: SSH
3. Click Open
4. On first connection, PuTTY asks to accept server fingerprint → click Accept
5. Enter user (es. root) and password

Save Session

To avoid re-entering IP and port each time:

1. Enter connection data
2. Write name in Saved Sessions field (es. DeluxHost VPS)
3. Click Save
4. Future: double-click saved session to connect

Connect with SSH Key (Recommended)

If you have private key .ppk (PuTTY format):

1. In PuTTY: Connection → SSH → Auth → Credentials
2. Click Browse next to "Private key file for authentication"
3. Select .ppk file

If you have key in OpenSSH format (.pem or no extension), convert with PuTTYgen:

1. Open PuTTYgen
2. Load → select .pem key
3. Save private key → save as .ppk

---

FileZilla: File Management via SFTP

FileZilla supports native SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), no FTP server needed on VPS.

Installation

Download from filezilla-project.org (Client, not Server).

Quick Connection

1. Open FileZilla
2. In top bar enter:
   • Host: sftp://185.100.xxx.xxx
   • Username: root
   • Password: your password
   • Port: 22
3. Click Quickconnect

Connect with SSH Key in FileZilla

1. Edit → Settings → Connection → SFTP
2. Click Add key file
3. Select private key (.ppk or .pem: FileZilla accepts both)
4. Connect without password

Save Connection (Site Manager)

To save credentials:

1. File → Site Manager (or Ctrl+S)
2. Click New Site
3. Fill:
   • Protocol: SFTP
   • Host: server IP
   • Port: 22
   • Logon Type: Normal (password) or Key file (key)
   • User: root
4. Connect

Navigate and Transfer Files

• Left panel: files on your PC
• Right panel: files on server
• Drag files between panels to upload/download
• Right-click → Download or Upload
• Right-click remote file → View/Edit to modify directly

---

Change SSH Port in PuTTY and FileZilla

If you changed SSH port (e.g. from 22 to 2222):

PuTTY: change Port field from 22 to 2222.

FileZilla: change Port field in quickconnect bar or Site Manager.

---

WinSCP: Alternative to FileZilla

WinSCP is another popular option, with interface similar to File Explorer:

• Download from winscp.net
• Supports SFTP, SCP, FTP
• Direct integration with PuTTY (imports saved sessions)
• Built-in text editor to modify files directly on server