How to Enable SSH in Windows 11? Step-By-Step

Secure Shell, commonly known as SSH, is an essential protocol for securely connecting to remote systems. Whether you are a developer, system administrator, or tech enthusiast, enabling SSH on your Windows machine allows you to remotely access systems, transfer files securely, and manage servers efficiently.

Windows 11 includes OpenSSH Client and OpenSSH Server as optional features. The client allows you to connect to other systems, while the server allows your system to accept incoming SSH connections.

By default, only the client may be installed. To enable SSH access on your computer, you must install and configure the OpenSSH Server.

In this detailed guide, you will learn how to enable SSH in Windows 11 step-by-step!

Table of Contents

How to Enable SSH in Windows 11?

To enable SSH in Windows 11, install the built-in OpenSSH Server from Optional Features, start the SSH service using Services or PowerShell, and configure it to run automatically. Once enabled, you can connect to your system remotely using an SSH client.

Let us go through each step in detail.

Step 1: Open Optional Features Settings

The first step is to check whether the OpenSSH Server is installed on your system.

Open the Settings app on your Windows 11 computer. Navigate to the Apps section and then click on Optional Features. This section contains additional Windows components that can be installed manually.

Once you are inside Optional Features, scroll through the list to see if OpenSSH Server is already installed. If it is present, you can move to the next step. If not, you will need to install it manually in the next step.

Step 2: Install OpenSSH Server

If OpenSSH Server is not available, you need to install it.

Inside Optional Features, click on View Features. A new window will appear where you can search for additional features. Type OpenSSH Server in the search bar.

When the option appears, select it and click Next, then click Install. The installation process will take a few moments, depending on your system performance.

Once installed, the SSH server capability will be available on your system, but it will not start automatically yet. You will need to enable and run the service manually.

Step 3: Open Services to Configure SSH

After installation, the next step is to configure the SSH service.

Press the Windows key and search for Services, then open the Services app. This tool allows you to manage background services running on your system.

Scroll down in the list until you find OpenSSH SSH Server. This is the service responsible for handling SSH connections.

Double-click on it to open its properties. This is where you can control how and when the service runs.

Step 4: Start the SSH Service

Inside the OpenSSH SSH Server properties window, locate the Service Status section.

Click on the Start button to activate the SSH server. Once started, your system will begin listening for incoming SSH connections.

You can verify the status changes to Running, confirming that the SSH server is now active.

Step 5: Set Startup Type to Automatic

To avoid starting the SSH service manually every time your system restarts, you should configure it to start automatically.

In the same properties window, find the Startup type dropdown menu. Change it from Manual to Automatic.

Click Apply, then click OK to save the changes.

This ensures that the SSH server starts automatically whenever you boot your system, making remote access always available.

Step 6: Allow SSH Through Windows Firewall

For SSH to work properly, it must be allowed through the Windows Firewall.

Open Windows Security and navigate to Firewall and Network Protection. Click on Allow an app through firewall.

Look for OpenSSH Server in the list. Ensure that it is allowed on both private and public networks if needed.

If it is not listed, you can manually add a rule to allow TCP port 22, which is the default port used by SSH.

Step 7: Find Your IP Address

To connect to your system remotely, you need to know your computer’s IP address.

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type ipconfig, then press Enter.

Look for the IPv4 address under your active network connection. This is the address you will use to connect via SSH.

Step 8: Test SSH Connection

Now that everything is configured, it is time to test the SSH connection.

From another device, open an SSH client such as PowerShell or any terminal. Type the following command:

ssh username@ip_address

Replace username with your Windows account name and ip_address with your system’s IP address.

If everything is set up correctly, you will be prompted to enter your password. After authentication, you will gain access to your system via SSH.

Enable SSH Using PowerShell (Alternative)

Instead of using the graphical interface, you can also enable SSH using PowerShell.

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run the following command to install OpenSSH Server:

Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Server

Once installed, start the service using:

Start-Service sshd

Then set it to start automatically:

Set-Service -Name sshd -StartupType Automatic

This method is faster and preferred by advanced users.

Configure Advanced SSH Settings

For better security and customization, you can modify SSH configuration files.

Navigate to the following directory:

C:\ProgramData\ssh

Open the sshd_config file using a text editor.

Here, you can change settings such as the default port, authentication methods, and access permissions.

For example, changing the default port from 22 to another number can improve security by reducing unauthorized attempts.

FAQs

What is SSH in Windows 11?

SSH is a secure protocol that allows remote access to your computer over a network. It is commonly used for managing servers and transferring files securely.

Is OpenSSH pre-installed in Windows 11?

Windows 11 includes OpenSSH as an optional feature. The client is often installed by default, but the server needs to be enabled manually.

Which port does SSH use?

By default, SSH uses port 22. However, you can change it in the configuration file for added security.

Can I use SSH without installing third-party software?

Yes, Windows 11 includes built-in OpenSSH support, so no additional software is required.

How do I check if SSH is running?

You can check the SSH service status in the Services app or by running the command Get-Service sshd in PowerShell.

Is SSH secure?

Yes, SSH encrypts all communication, making it a secure method for remote access.