Shared server guidance · Question & answer

How do I open a PowerShell remoting session over SSH?

PowerShell remoting over SSH is a distinct feature from typing ssh into PowerShell. It requires a compatible PowerShell installation and a configured PowerShell SSH subsystem on the remote server. Windows PowerShell 5.1 does not provide the SSH HostName parameter set.

AdvancedSupported PowerShell 7 and OpenSSH on the local Windows computerRemote server with supported PowerShell and an explicitly configured PowerShell SSH subsystem

Britixo Help Centre · Updated 5 November 2026

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Before you start

An administrator has configured and authorised the remote PowerShell SSH subsystem.

Instructions

1. Confirm local remoting support

Use a supported PowerShell 7 installation for this workflow and inspect the available parameter sets.

Local Windows PowerShell

(Get-Command New-PSSession).ParameterSets.Name

Look for SSH-related parameter sets. Their absence means this shell cannot use the demonstrated SSH remoting workflow.

2. Connect to a preconfigured endpoint

The server administrator must already have configured the subsystem and approved your account. Keep normal SSH host verification enabled.

Local Windows PowerShell

Enter-PSSession -HostName 203.0.113.10 -UserName adminuser -KeyFilePath "$env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\server_ed25519"

This requests a PowerShell remoting session over SSH. It will not create the required server subsystem automatically.

3. Verify the remote PowerShell process

Inside the remote Windows session, check identity and version before continuing.

Remote Windows PowerShell

hostname
$PSVersionTable.PSVersion
Exit-PSSession

The first two commands identify the remote endpoint. Exit-PSSession returns you to the local PowerShell session.

Check the result

The remote endpoint opens a PowerShell session with the expected account and hostname.
Exit-PSSession returns to the original local session.

Troubleshooting

HostName is not a recognised parameter: You may be using Windows PowerShell 5.1 instead of supported PowerShell 7.
Subsystem request failed: Ordinary SSH may work while the PowerShell subsystem is absent or misconfigured. Follow the server’s approved subsystem setup procedure.

Official references

Use the documentation for your installed version when a flag, service name or platform feature differs.