Open Source v0.85 ✓ Checksum Published

PuTTY v0.85 - Free SSH & Telnet Client for Windows

Name: PuTTY: Free SSH & Telnet Client for Windows
Availability: InStock
Author: Simon Tatham

PuTTY is the classic free SSH and Telnet client for Windows, maintained by Simon Tatham since 1999.

⬇ Direct Download (3.7 MB)

Technical Specifications & System Requirements

Developer Simon Tatham

Platform & OS Windows 10 / 11

Package Size 3.7 MB

Architecture x64

Package Format MSI Installer

Security Verification SHA-256 checksum published

SHA-256 Cryptographic Checksum Computed from the file we serve

              2213ebacf962b709411d654a40087508a694756bc4e41c5a1c24ad86596b2511
            

              $ Get-FileHash .\putty-ssh-client-pc.exe -Algorithm SHA256
            

Software notes

The Bottom Line: PuTTY is a Open Source release from Simon Tatham, mirrored from the publisher's own build.

About & Overview: PuTTY: Free SSH & Telnet Client for Windows

PuTTY is the classic free SSH and Telnet client for Windows, maintained by Simon Tatham since 1999. It connects to Linux servers, network devices, and Raspberry Pi boards over SSH, Telnet, serial, and Rlogin, with saved session profiles, key-based authentication via Pageant, and port forwarding. The 0.85 release refreshes cryptography and fixes long-standing bugs. Lightweight, portable, and MIT-licensed — the tool every Windows admin installs first.

How to Install & Verify PuTTY

STEP 1

Download the installer

Download PuTTY from the official vendor link on this page.

STEP 2

Run the setup

Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen installation steps.

STEP 3

Launch the app

Start PuTTY from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.

Frequently Asked Questions & Verification Guide

Is PuTTY free?

Yes — PuTTY is MIT-licensed open source and completely free for personal and commercial use, with no trial period or feature limits.

Does PuTTY support SSH keys?

Yes. Generate keys with the bundled PuTTYgen, load them into the Pageant agent, and log in without typing passwords. It also works with standard OpenSSH-format keys.

What is the difference between PuTTY and Windows Terminal?

Windows Terminal is a modern tabbed terminal host (it uses OpenSSH for SSH connections), while PuTTY is a self-contained SSH client with its own session manager plus tools like PSCP and PSFTP. Many people happily use both.

Is there a portable version of PuTTY?

Yes — the portable build runs without installation, ideal for technicians who carry their tools on a USB drive.