---
description: Connecting via SSH with PuTTY and a Key Pair on Windows
---

# Windows Client using Key Pair

## Prerequisite

* A Compute Instance created with key pair authentication (see [how to launch an instance](../launching-compute-instance)).
* The private key file from the key pair (see [how to create a key pair](../../key-pair/creating-a-new-key-pair)).

## Instruction

### 1. **Log in to the Project**

Select a project from the projects management page to enter the project detail page.

![Project Overview](https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/t2Lq0gWwa7frq3FxKZhd/New%20Keypair%200.png)

### 2. **Go to Compute Instance**

In the left-hand menu, click **COMPUTE > Compute Instance** to go to the Compute Instance page.

![Project Overview](https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/bhn0F8Qi7Msf3vLAd3Iy/RDP%201.png)

### 3. **Go to the Compute Instance Detail Page**

Click on the desired Compute Instance from the list to enter its detail page.

![Instances Page](https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/tKn27Gr439hpG6KDiO7L/ssh%20to%20linux%20win%201.png)

### 4. **Check the External IP**

Copy the external IP of the Compute Instance and check the SSH settings under Networks & Security Groups.

![Instance Overview](https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/gQJ11LhUGYNwPDelANlk/ssh%20to%20linux%20win%202.png)

### 5. **Use the External IP to connect via Putty**

![Fill External IP in Putty](https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/UojGZFbqxKCeDAWMU46z/ssh%20to%20linux%20win%203.png)

* **Host Name:** Enter the External IP.
* **Connection Type:** Select SSH.

### 6. **Add the Key Pair file for authentication**

* Click on **Connection > SSH > Auth**.
* Then, click the **'Browse...'** button, select your .ppk private key file, and click "Open".

If you generated the key pair from NIPA Cloud Space, you must first [convert the .pem key pair to .ppk](converting-key-pair-for-putty).

![Browse Key Pair](https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/jvyALnBbi1T6zEYN624u/SSH%20Key%20Win%201.JPG)

### 7. **Enter the User to SSH into the Linux Instance**

Enter the user: nc-user and press Enter. You will now be logged into the Linux instance.

![SSH Success](https://content.gitbook.com/content/4csDFrNQz0Q4tDnx3xyT/blobs/fugSuAs5v3VBuAOJhACn/SSH%20Key%20Win%202.JPG)
