# Converting Key Pair for PuTTy

Modern SSH clients for Linux operating systems, such as PuTTY, no longer natively support the .pem key pair format. Therefore, it is necessary to convert .pem key pairs to the .ppk format before use.

## Prerequisite

* A private key file (.pem) from a key pair. If you do not have one, learn how to [create a key pair](https://docs-epc.gitbook.io/ncs-documents/ncs-documents-en/compute/key-pair/creating-a-new-key-pair).
* The PuTTYgen program, which is included with the PuTTY installation.

## Instructions

### 1. **Open the PuTTYgen Program**

Launch PuTTYgen, which comes with your PuTTY installation. You can find it by searching for "PuTTYgen" in the Windows Start Menu.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/1a1fUs7Su7kSn8a9c7lD/puttygen-load.PNG" alt=""><figcaption><p>PuTTyGen UI</p></figcaption></figure>

### 2. Load Your .pem Key Pair

Click the **'Load'** button to open the file browser. Change the file type filter to **"All Files (.)"** and select the .pem key pair you wish to convert.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/AiEGoKU9FnpL8YcYZUYf/selectpemkey.PNG" alt=""><figcaption><p>Select a .pem Key Pair</p></figcaption></figure>

### 3. **Convert and Save the Private Key File**

After loading the .pem file, PuTTYgen will display the details of the key pair.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/IhbHFd7qZCKYegOPcqGn/save-private-key.PNG" alt=""><figcaption><p>.pem Key Pair Loaded</p></figcaption></figure>

* Before saving, you have the option to add a passphrase to enhance the security of your private key.
* Once you are ready, click **"Save private key"**.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/V5EqsTwLlZc0fAOvBvvf/save-converted-key.PNG" alt=""><figcaption><p>Save .ppk Private Key</p></figcaption></figure>

Your .ppk file is now ready for authentication with PuTTY (see [how to connect using PuTTY](https://docs-epc.gitbook.io/ncs-documents/ncs-documents-en/compute/compute-instance/ssh-to-linux-compute-instance/macos-linux-using-key-pairs)).
