Connect to server using SFTP and a public SSH key using FileZilla on Windows

Question

Is it possible to generate an SSH key on a Windows machine and then use that key to connect to a server using SFTP via FileZilla?

This is all working with my Mac, but I have a client that is stuck in a Windows environment. Our server does not have traditional FTP access and I need to get him connected.

Details would be greatly appreciated.

score 23 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 25 '20 at 16:01

FileZilla uses the PuTTY suite of tools for its SSH implementation. PuTTY supports using public keys, so by default so does FileZilla. It's as simple as downloading and running Pageant and importing your key, or generating a new one using PuTTYgen.

You can also manually specify a key file using menu Edit → Settings, item Connection (first item in the left panel)

score 21 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 25 '20 at 16:13

21

If the private SSH key already exists, this can be done from within FileZilla, without the need to install extra software. Simply go to menu Edit → Settings → Connection → FTP → SFTP.

Click button Add key file and add your private key there. It will convert the key for you.

edited Apr 25 '20 at 16:13

Peter Mortensen

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answered Jan 03 '14 at 08:23

Akarsh Satija

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Minor correction: You need to add the _private_ key to FileZilla. The public key must be present on the server and the private key must be present on the client (i.e. FileZilla). – Chris Feb 19 '14 at 16:26
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Is there any way to get FileZilla on Mac to show hidden files? I can't get it to navigate to ~/.ssh/ – jchavannes Jun 27 '14 at 20:57
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Answered my own question: http://superuser.com/questions/302732/filezilla-on-mac-os-x-cant-open-ssh-directory-to-get-my-keyfile – jchavannes Jun 27 '14 at 20:59
It does not allow me to connect to my sftp server by using public key auth since FileZilla knows nothing about public key. openssh server knows only about public key. Filezilla also prints in connection log that 0 keypairs loaded from file. – Sergey P. aka azure Dec 09 '14 at 14:01
@jchavannes: Like you said for Mac press: `Shift`-`Command`-`Period` while in the finder window – Ujjwal Singh Jul 02 '15 at 10:23

score -1 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 29 '23 at 07:06

For a long time, FileZilla already has per-site key configuration. So it's not necessary to go to global Settings to add the key.

On "Login" (site manager) dialog:

select SFTP for Protocol
enter your Host
Select Key file for Logon type
enter your User
Browse for your Key file

Connect to server using SFTP and a public SSH key using FileZilla on Windows

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