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.
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)
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.
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:
To answer question : yes, you can use the free tool 'puttygen.exe' that enables you to generate the key you want, with format you want, and settings you want.
To be able to connect to SFTP server using public key, Filezilla need to know private keys to use (sentence also told by Filezilla in Edit/Settings/Connection/SFTP)
To complete Martin Prikryl answer, it could be usefull to add the key in Filezilla Edit/Settings/Conection/SFTP, if the SFTP server needs both password and key authentication :
FileZilla will be able to provide password and then look for the key in main settings, when the server will 'prompt' for key authentication.
Validated with FileZilla 3.6x.x
