PuTTY 0.85.0 for Windows

PuTTY 0.85.0 for Windows is Simon Tatham's free and open-source SSH client and terminal emulator, and you can download it from the official PuTTY website. Release 0.85 came out on 16 August 2026. Below are answers to the questions people ask before using it.

What is PuTTY?

PuTTY is a terminal client that lets you log in to another computer, usually a Linux server, router or network device, and type commands as if you were sitting at its keyboard. Its first release dates to 19 November 1998, and it has been the standard SSH tool on Windows for system administrators, web developers and students ever since. It also works as a serial console for configuring switches and embedded boards over a COM port, and the package includes tools for copying files over SSH and for creating and managing keys. The program itself is tiny, opens instantly and saves connection profiles, so a list of servers is always one double-click away. Even though modern Windows ships its own SSH command, many people stay with PuTTY for its saved sessions and simple configuration window.

Which version is current?

This page lists 0.85.0, updated in September 2026. The file size is about 3.66 MB according to catalogue data. Every change is recorded in the official PuTTY change log.

How do I install it?

1. Go to the official site at putty.software or chiark.greenend.org.uk.
2. Download the Windows installer that matches your system.
3. Run it; PuTTY and its helper tools appear in the Start menu.
4. Open PuTTY, type the server's host name, choose SSH and click Open.

What happens when I connect to a new server?

When you connect to a server you have not used before, PuTTY shows the server's host key fingerprint. Compare it with the fingerprint your hosting provider or administrator gave you before accepting; this protects you from connecting to an impostor. Then log in with your user name and password or an SSH key.

Is PuTTY free?

Yes. It is released under the MIT License, which allows free personal and commercial use. The source code is available from the official Git repository.

Is it safe to download?

Only from the official addresses above. Because PuTTY handles server passwords and keys, look-alike download sites with modified builds have been used to steal credentials. Keep it updated, since new releases often fix security issues.

What are the pros and cons?

• Pro: tiny, fast and free.
• Pro: saved sessions for many servers.
• Con: the settings window looks old-fashioned.
• Con: no tabs for several sessions in one window.

What are the alternatives?

MobaXterm combines a terminal with other network tools, and FileZilla is the choice for transferring files over SFTP. Both are in the same networking category.