If I run pageant and add keys, there is no problem. The key gets loaded without issues.
If I create a shortcut to run pageant and load the keys at the same time, like so:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\PuTTY\pageant.exe" H:\keys\key.ppk
Then I get the error:
Couldn't load this key (unable to open file)
Happens if the shortcut is run as admin or not.
What could be causing this?
H: is a network drive
In your shortcut, try to put the keys directory in the "Start in" option, like this:
Target: "C:\Program Files (x86)\PuTTY\pageant.exe" key1.ppk key2.ppk key3.ppk etc.
Start in: "C:\keys"
See if it helps.
Sorry this is actually pretty embarrassing, but the problem was that the real path to my keys had spaces in it, and so I was simply missing quotes in the shortcut, like so:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\PuTTY\pageant.exe" "H:\actual path to keys\key.ppk"