How to SSH into your VPS from a Windows or Linux Computer

If you’ve just set up a VPS (Virtual Private Server), one of the first things you’ll need to do is connect to it using SSH (Secure Shell). SSH lets you securely access your server’s command line, manage files, and run scripts. This guide walks you through how to do that from both Windows and Linux computers.

🛒 Don’t Have a VPS Yet?

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🔐 What You Need Before You Start

• Your VPS IP address (usually provided by your hosting provider)
• A username (default is often root)
• Your SSH password or private key (depending on how your server is configured)

🖥️ SSH into Your VPS from Windows

There are a few ways to do this on Windows, but the easiest is using Windows Terminal (built into Windows 10 and 11) or PuTTY (a popular third-party tool).

Option 1: Using Windows Terminal or PowerShell

1. Press Win + X, then choose Windows Terminal or PowerShell.
2. Type this command and press Enter: ssh root@your_server_ip
3. The system will ask if you trust the server. Type yes.
4. Enter your password when prompted.

That’s it—you’re in.

Option 2: Using PuTTY

1. Download PuTTY and install it.
2. Open PuTTY and enter your VPS IP in the Host Name field.
3. Leave the port as 22 and connection type as SSH.
4. Click Open. If it’s your first time, you’ll see a security alert—click Yes.
5. Log in with your username and password.

🐧 SSH into Your VPS from Linux

SSH is built into Linux, so it’s even easier.

1. Open your terminal.
2. Type: ssh root@your_server_ip
3. Hit Enter. If this is your first time connecting, you’ll get a prompt asking to confirm the server’s identity. Type yes.
4. Enter your password.

Done—you now have full access to your server.

🧠 Pro Tips

• Change the default SSH port for better security.
• Use SSH keys instead of passwords for stronger protection.
• Disable root login and create a new user for daily tasks.
• Use a firewall like UFW to limit access to your SSH port.

✅ Final Thoughts

SSH is the gateway to managing your VPS like a pro. Once you’re in, you can install software, configure services, and run just about anything you need. If you’re managing servers regularly, consider setting up SSH keys and hardening your security early on—it’ll save you headaches down the road.

Need help with SSH keys or setting up a firewall? Let me know in the comments and I’ll cover it in a future post.