SSH Access with PuTTY and FileZilla

Guide for Windows users who prefer graphical tools to connect to server.

Installation

Download PuTTY from putty.org (.msi version recommended, includes PuTTYgen and PSCP).

Basic Connection

• Host Name: your server IP (es. 185.100.xxx.xxx)
• Port: 22 (or custom SSH port)
• Connection type: SSH

Save Session

To avoid re-entering IP and port each time:

Connect with SSH Key (Recommended)

If you have private key .ppk (PuTTY format):

If you have key in OpenSSH format (.pem or no extension), convert with PuTTYgen:

• Open PuTTY
• Enter:
• Click Open
• On first connection, PuTTY asks to accept server fingerprint → click Accept
• Enter user (es. root) and password
• Enter connection data
• Write name in Saved Sessions field (es. DeluxHost VPS)
• Click Save
• Future: double-click saved session to connect
• In PuTTY: Connection → SSH → Auth → Credentials
• Click Browse next to "Private key file for authentication"
• Select .ppk file
• Open PuTTYgen
• Load → select .pem key
• Save private key → save as .ppk

FileZilla supports native SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), no FTP server needed on VPS.

Installation

Download from filezilla-project.org (Client, not Server).

Quick Connection

• Host: sftp://185.100.xxx.xxx
• Username: root
• Password: your password
• Port: 22

Connect with SSH Key in FileZilla

Save Connection (Site Manager)

To save credentials:

• Protocol: SFTP
• Host: server IP
• Port: 22
• Logon Type: Normal (password) or Key file (key)
• User: root

Navigate and Transfer Files

• Open FileZilla
• In top bar enter:
• Click Quickconnect
• Edit → Settings → Connection → SFTP
• Click Add key file
• Select private key (.ppk or .pem: FileZilla accepts both)
• Connect without password
• File → Site Manager (or Ctrl+S)
• Click New Site
• Fill:
• Connect
• Left panel: files on your PC
• Right panel: files on server
• Drag files between panels to upload/download
• Right-click → Download or Upload
• Right-click remote file → View/Edit to modify directly

If you changed SSH port (e.g. from 22 to 2222):

PuTTY: change Port field from 22 to 2222.

FileZilla: change Port field in quickconnect bar or Site Manager.

WinSCP is another popular option, with interface similar to File Explorer:

• Download from winscp.net
• Supports SFTP, SCP, FTP
• Direct integration with PuTTY (imports saved sessions)
• Built-in text editor to modify files directly on server