PuTTY Download

What it is

PuTTY is a free SSH and Telnet client by Simon Tatham, with serial port support. Techs use it to console into switches, routers, firewalls, recorders and controllers over SSH, Telnet or a USB-to-serial console cable. The PuTTY package also includes PSCP and PSFTP for file transfer and PuTTYgen for SSH keys. Source

Works with

Network switches and routers	SSH or Telnet to the management IP Source
Console ports	Serial connection through a COM port Source

System requirements

Current release	0.85 (released 2026-08-16)
Platform	Windows (MSI installer or standalone putty.exe)

From the PuTTY download page.

How to install

1. Open the PuTTY Latest Release page.
2. Download the MSI installer for your Windows type (64-bit x86 for most laptops), or just putty.exe.
3. Run the installer, or run putty.exe directly.

From the PuTTY download page.

How to connect to a device

1. Open PuTTY. Under Session, enter the device IP and pick SSH (port 22) or Telnet (port 23).
2. For a console cable, pick Serial, enter the COM port (check Windows Device Manager) and the speed the device uses.
3. Click Open and log in.

From the PuTTY documentation.

FAQ

Sources

• PuTTY: Latest release
• PuTTY: Documentation