you could generate them like passwords on Windows and create encrypted connectionshere’s how.
Windows 11 comes with a built-in OpenSSH client.
This makes it easy to generate SSH keys without using a third-party program.
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There are two ways to generate an SSH key on WindowstheCommand PromptandWSL(Windows Subsystem for Linux).
Let’s start with the first method.
You might prefer the Windows Terminal as it provides a unified environment for command-line interfaces.
It runs the Command Prompt, PowerShell, and the Windows Subsystem for Linux within a single window.
This tool enhances versatility and simplifies tasks like generating SSH keys.
you’re free to also view the key pair at the saved location.
In addition to RSA keys, you’re free to also generate Ed25519 keys with it.
The process is quite similar, with only a slight change to the command line.
The key fingerprint you receive is an identifier for your SSH key.
you might use it to confirm authenticity when connecting to a remote server.
When you generate an SSH key, two keys are generateda private and a public key.
you’ve got the option to distinguish these two keys by their extensions.
The private key has no extension, while the public key ends with a.pubextension.
The private key is used for encryption and decryption and should be kept confidential.
But why would you choose WSL when you already have the Windows Command Prompt?
WSL provides a complete Linux environment within Windows to run Linux commands without installing a separate OS.
This is useful for developers and system administrators working with Windows and Linux.
If you have trouble with this, see ourguide to enabling WSL on Windows.
you’re able to now use this key to secure connections between your setup and remote servers.
What Are the Differences Between RSA and Ed25519 Keys?
In the steps above, we discussed two SSH key types: RSA and Ed25519.
But how are they different?
Ultimately, you’ve got the option to use either cryptographic algorithm depending on your systems.