How to Connect via SSH on Windows (Key-Based Login)

SSH gives you a command line on your hosting, which is handy for tools like WP-CLI and Composer, importing large databases, or moving big files. This guide sets up a secure key-based login from a Windows PC.

SSH is aimed at people who are comfortable typing commands. If you only need to upload files, FTP or StackCP's File Manager is simpler.

Before you start

• Download PuTTY, a free SSH client. The installer includes PuTTYgen, which creates your keys.
• Prefer the Windows Terminal? Windows 10 and 11 include OpenSSH. Follow our Mac and Linux SSH guide instead; the commands are the same.

Step 1: Create your key pair

1. Open PuTTYgen from the Start menu.
2. Click Generate and move your mouse around the blank area until the progress bar fills. This adds randomness to the key.
3. Type a passphrase in both passphrase boxes. You will enter it each time you connect, so choose something you can remember.
4. Leave PuTTYgen open. You need the public key shown at the top in the next step.

Step 2: Add the public key in StackCP

1. Log in to your FimuroHost client area at app.fimurohost.com.
2. Go to Services and select your Cloud Hosting plan.
3. Click Login to Control Panel / StackCP. StackCP opens for that website, already signed in.
4. Under the Security section, click SSH Access.
5. Copy the whole public key from the PuTTYgen box (it starts with ssh-) and paste it into the Public Key field.
6. Click Add Public Key. Allow a few minutes for it to become active.

Step 3: Save your private key

1. Back in PuTTYgen, click Save private key.
2. Save the .ppk file somewhere safe on your PC. Anyone with this file and your passphrase can log in, so never share it.

Step 4: Connect with PuTTY

1. Open PuTTY.
2. In the left-hand menu, expand Connection > SSH > Auth (in recent versions, Auth > Credentials).
3. Click Browse next to "Private key file for authentication" and select your .ppk file.
4. Go back to Session at the top of the menu and enter the host name ssh.stackcp.com.
5. Tip: type a name under Saved Sessions and click Save so you don't have to repeat these steps.
6. Click Open. The first time, PuTTY asks you to trust the server's key; click Accept.
7. At login as: type your domain name, for example example.com.
8. Enter your key passphrase. You are now connected.

Common problems

• "Server refused our key": the public key may not be active yet (wait a few minutes), or it was pasted incompletely. Paste it again as one unbroken line.
• Wrong login name: the username is your domain name as shown in StackCP's SSH Access section, not your email address.
• Lost the private key: generate a new pair, add the new public key and remove the old one in StackCP.

Need help?

Our support team is happy to take a look. Open a ticket at app.fimurohost.com/submitticket.php or message us on WhatsApp at 01818160926.