To SSH into Windows 11, you first need to install the OpenSSH Server feature in Settings > Apps > Optional Features and ensure it’s running in the Services app. Then, use an SSH client on another device to connect using the command ssh <username>@<windows_ip_address>.
1. Install the OpenSSH Server on Windows 11
- Open Settings > Apps > Optional features.
- Click View features (or Add an optional feature).
- Search for and select OpenSSH Server.
- Click Next and then Install to begin the installation.
2. Configure the OpenSSH Server Service
- Open the Services desktop app by typing
services.mscin the Windows search bar and pressing Enter. - Find OpenSSH SSH Server in the list.
- Double-click it, set the Startup type to Automatic, and click Start to begin the service.
3. Connect with an SSH Client
- On your client device, open a terminal or command prompt.
- Use the command
ssh <username>@<windows_ip_address>to connect.- Replace
<username>with the user’s Windows username. - Replace
<windows_ip_address>with the local IP address of the Windows 11 machine, which you can find by runningipconfigin the command prompt.
- Replace
- If this is your first time connecting to this host, you’ll be asked to confirm the host key fingerprint; type Yes.
- Enter the user’s Windows password to log in.
