How do I check whether OpenSSH Client is installed on Windows?
Check whether Windows can locate ssh.exe and whether the executable runs. The client is the component needed to connect outward to a Linux or Windows server; installing an SSH server on your PC is not required.
Instructions
1. Find the client from your preferred shell
These alternatives inspect command discovery without changing Windows features.
Get-Command ssh.exe -CommandType ApplicationThe Source property identifies the executable that PowerShell would launch.
where sshCMD lists matching executables found through its search path. Multiple results can explain different client versions.
2. Read the executable version
Use the client itself to distinguish a missing command from a connection problem.
ssh -VOpenSSH prints its client version, often on the error-output stream. No server connection is attempted.
3. Inspect the optional feature if necessary
On a managed PC, use an elevated PowerShell window only for this feature inventory if access is required. The feature can be installed even when a newly opened shell is needed to refresh command discovery.
Get-WindowsCapability -Online -Name 'OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0'Installed indicates the Windows optional client is present. Other distributions of ssh.exe may exist separately.
Check the result
- ssh -V returns a client version.
- The executable path is an expected, trusted installation location.
Troubleshooting
- The command is not recognised
- Check the optional feature and the executable path before changing PATH.
- Feature inventory says NotPresent but ssh works
- A separately installed client may be in use. Identify that installation before replacing it.
Official references
Use the documentation for your installed version when a flag, service name or platform feature differs.