SSH Login Using PuTTY without Typing Username and Password

In this post, we will show you how to create a Windows shortcut, which will store your PuTTY session information so that you don’t have to enter the username and password every time you log in.

1. If you haven’t already installed PuTTY, you can download it from https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/

2. Create a Windows Shortcut by right-click on the Desktop then select New > Shortcut.

3. Click Browse and navigate to the PuTTY folder. It’s usually located in C:\Program Files\PuTTY or C:\Program Files (x86)\PuTTY. Select putty.exe then click OK.

4. Click Next.

5. Enter a name for your shortcut. e.g. MyLinuxServer and click Finish.

6. Right-click on your new shortcut and click Properties.

7. We are going to add a switch to this. After the double quotes, paste in the following:

-ssh [email protected] -pw PassW0rd

Note Note: Don't forget replacing with your username, with your server IP address and with your own password.

The Target field should now look something like this. (Your path may differ depending on where putty.exe is installed.)

"C:\Program Files\PuTTY\putty.exe" -ssh [email protected] -pw PassW0rd

8. Click OK and you’re done! Now when you double-click the shortcut it will bring you straight into your Linux server without having to enter username or password.

Key-based Authentication

Storing your password in a Windows shortcut is not very secure. As well as offering additional security, SSH key authentication can be more convenient than the more traditional password authentication. SSH keys can allow you to connect to a server, or multiple servers, without having to remember or enter your password for each system.