Enabling SSH on Home windows Server has traditionally required third-party instruments or complicated configuration. Home windows Server 2025 streamlines the method, making it simpler than ever to arrange safe distant command-line entry. On this publish I will stroll you thru enabling and configuring the built-in SSH server, adjusting firewall guidelines, and managing consumer entry.
Allow the Constructed-in SSH Server
- Open Server Supervisor in your Home windows Server 2025 machine.
- Choose the Native Server node from the left-hand menu.
- Search for the brand new entry labeled Distant SSH Entry.
- Click on on the blue textual content (which says «Disabled» by default) subsequent to Distant SSH Entry.
- A script will run to allow the SSH server. When prompted, sort sure to permit the script to execute and full the setup.
The script can even show essential details about firewall settings and which consumer accounts can join through SSH.
Configure Home windows Firewall for SSH
- Open Home windows Defender Firewall with Superior Safety.
- Go to Inbound Guidelines.
- Discover the rule named OpenSSH SSH Server.
- Proper-click and select Properties.
- On the Superior tab, make sure that the rule is enabled for each Area and Non-public profiles.
By default, the rule is barely enabled for networks tagged as non-public, which is typical for domain-joined servers
Grant Consumer Entry to SSH
- When the SSH server is enabled, a neighborhood group known as OpenSSH Customers is created.
- Open Pc Administration and navigate to Native Customers and Teams > Teams.
- Double-click the OpenSSH Customers group.
- Add the consumer accounts you wish to enable SSH entry.
You possibly can add particular person customers or, for simpler administration throughout a number of servers, add a website group to the native OpenSSH Customers group.
Join Utilizing an SSH Consumer
- From one other pc, you want an SSH consumer. On Home windows, you should utilize the built-in consumer or set up the Microsoft OpenSSH consumer through the Home windows Package deal Supervisor (winget).
- To provoke a connection, use the next syntax in a terminal or PowerShell window:
ssh DOMAINusername@server_name
Exchange DOMAIN along with your area title, username along with your consumer account, and server_name with the title of the Home windows Server you enabled SSH on.
- The primary time you join, you may see a immediate concerning the server’s key fingerprint. Kind sure to proceed.
- Enter your password when prompted.
- You need to now have a distant SSH session into your Home windows Server 2025 machine.
You possibly can additional configure the SSH server, resembling specifying which shell is used or enabling key-based authentication. For extra superior configuration, seek the advice of the next docs article on Study: OpenSSH Server configuration for Windows Server and Windows