Mastering Remote Access: How To SSH Into Raspberry Pi From Windows 11

Dr. Nona Smitham Sr. 26 Jul 2025

Ever wanted to manage your Raspberry Pi without needing a screen, keyboard, or mouse plugged directly into it? That feeling of being tethered to your little computer, it can be a bit restrictive, can't it? Well, imagine a world where you can control your Pi from the comfort of your Windows 11 desktop, typing commands and running programs as if you were right there. That's exactly what Secure Shell, or SSH, lets you do, and it's a pretty big deal for anyone getting serious with their Pi projects.

For makers, students, or just curious folks, having remote access to your Raspberry Pi is, you know, really a game changer. It opens up so many possibilities, whether you're setting up a home automation system, running a small web server, or perhaps even building a retro gaming console. You get to work on your Pi from anywhere on your network, which is, honestly, quite convenient.

Today, we're going to show you how to set up this connection, stepping you through the process of how to SSH into Raspberry Pi from Windows 11. We will cover everything from getting your Pi ready to using the command line on your Windows machine, so you can start controlling your Pi like a pro, just like that.

Getting Your Raspberry Pi Ready
Finding Your Raspberry Pi's IP Address
Connecting from Windows 11 Using PowerShell
Boosting Security with SSH Keys
Making Connections Easier with an SSH Config File
Tackling Common SSH Connection Issues
Frequently Asked Questions About SSH and Raspberry Pi

Getting Your Raspberry Pi Ready

Before you can connect, your Raspberry Pi needs to be ready to accept SSH connections. This is, you know, the first and most important step. Most modern Raspberry Pi OS versions have SSH capabilities built right in, but it's often turned off by default for security reasons. So, you'll need to flip that switch on, so to speak.

Enabling SSH on Your Raspberry Pi

There are a couple of ways to do this, depending on how you're setting up your Pi. If you have a screen and keyboard connected to your Pi, you can use the Raspberry Pi Configuration tool. Just go to the main menu, then Preferences, and pick Raspberry Pi Configuration. In that window, head over to the Interfaces tab, and you'll see an option for SSH. Make sure it's enabled, and then click OK. That's one way, pretty straightforward, really.

Alternatively, if you're setting up a new Pi and flashing the OS to an SD card, you can enable SSH without ever connecting a monitor. When you use the Raspberry Pi Imager tool, there's a little gear icon or "Advanced options" button you can click. This lets you pre-configure settings like Wi-Fi and, yes, enable SSH. You can even set a username and password right there, which is quite handy, actually.

For those who prefer a command-line approach, or if you're already logged into your Pi, you can use `raspi-config`. Just open a terminal on your Pi and type `sudo raspi-config`. Inside that menu, you'll find "Interface Options" (usually option 3 or 5), and within that, "SSH." Select it, choose to enable it, and then finish up. It's a pretty common way to adjust things on the Pi, you know.

Finding Your Raspberry Pi's IP Address

To connect from Windows 11, you need to know your Raspberry Pi's network address, its IP address. This is how your Windows computer will find the Pi on your local network. There are a few ways to get this important piece of information, you know, to make sure you're connecting to the right device.

Using the Pi's Terminal

If you have a screen connected to your Pi, simply open a terminal window. Then, type `hostname -I` (that's a capital 'i'). This command will show you the IP address assigned to your Pi on your local network. It's usually a string of numbers like `192.168.1.100` or `10.0.0.50`. This is, you know, a very common way to find it.

Checking Your Router's Admin Page

Most home routers have a web interface where you can see all the devices connected to your network. You'll need to log into your router (usually by typing its IP address, like `192.168.1.1` or `192.168.0.1`, into a web browser). Look for a section like "Connected Devices," "DHCP Clients," or "Network Map." Your Raspberry Pi should appear there, often listed by its hostname (like `raspberrypi` or `pi-hole`) along with its IP address. This can be, you know, a bit more involved, but it works.

Using Network Scanners on Windows

You can also use a network scanning tool on your Windows 11 computer. Programs like Angry IP Scanner or even a simple `ping` command can help. For instance, if you know your network range, you could try pinging common Raspberry Pi hostnames. However, finding the exact IP from Windows without a scanner often means checking your router. It's pretty straightforward, really, once you get the hang of it.

Connecting from Windows 11 Using PowerShell

Windows 11 comes with an OpenSSH client built right in, which is, honestly, super convenient. This means you don't need to install any extra software like PuTTY anymore, though PuTTY is still a fine choice for some people. You can just use PowerShell or Command Prompt, which is pretty neat.

Opening PowerShell

To get started, open PowerShell. You can do this by clicking the Start button and typing "PowerShell" into the search bar. Then, click on "Windows PowerShell" or "Terminal" (which often defaults to PowerShell). It's a very common tool for system tasks, you know.

The Basic SSH Command

Once PowerShell is open, you'll use the `ssh` command. The basic format is `ssh [username]@[IP address]`. So, if your Raspberry Pi's default username is `pi` and its IP address is `192.168.1.105`, you would type:

ssh pi@192.168.1.105

The first time you connect, your Windows computer will probably ask you to confirm the connection because the Pi's "fingerprint" is unknown. It will show you a message like "The authenticity of host '192.168.1.105' can't be established." Just type `yes` and press Enter to continue. After that, you'll be prompted for your Raspberry Pi's password. Type it in (you won't see the characters as you type, which is normal for security), and press Enter. If everything goes well, you'll be logged into your Pi's command line! You're in, just like that.

This is, you know, the most basic way to connect. You'll be using the default port 22 for SSH, which is usually fine for local network connections. If you've changed the SSH port on your Pi for some reason, you'd add `-p [port number]` to your command, like `ssh pi@192.168.1.105 -p 2222`. It's pretty flexible, actually.

Boosting Security with SSH Keys

While connecting with a password works, using SSH keys is a much more secure and convenient way to log in. Instead of typing a password every time, you use a pair of cryptographic keys: a private key that stays on your Windows 11 computer and a public key that goes on your Raspberry Pi. It's a bit like having a very special digital lock and key set, you know, for extra safety.

Generating SSH Keys on Windows 11

You can generate SSH keys directly in PowerShell. Open PowerShell and type:

ssh-keygen

It will ask you where to save the key. The default location (`C:\Users\YourUsername\.ssh\id_rsa`) is usually fine, so just press Enter. It will then ask for a passphrase. This is an extra layer of security for your private key. You can leave it blank if you want passwordless login, but adding a passphrase is a good idea for sensitive keys. Just press Enter twice if you don't want one. After this, your keys are generated: `id_rsa` (your private key) and `id_rsa.pub` (your public key). This process is, you know, pretty quick.

Copying Your Public Key to Raspberry Pi

Once you have your keys, you need to get the public key onto your Raspberry Pi. The easiest way to do this is using the `ssh-copy-id` command, which is often available with OpenSSH on Windows 11. Type:

ssh-copy-id pi@192.168.1.105

You'll be asked for your Pi's password one last time. After that, your public key will be copied to the `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` file on your Raspberry Pi. From then on, you should be able to connect without a password, assuming your private key is in the default location and doesn't have a passphrase. This makes future connections, you know, much smoother.

If `ssh-copy-id` isn't working for some reason, or you just want to do it manually, you can. First, you need to view your public key. In PowerShell, type:

Get-Content $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_rsa.pub

This will display the contents of your public key. Copy the entire string of characters. Then, SSH into your Raspberry Pi using your password one last time. Once connected, you need to create or edit the `authorized_keys` file. First, make sure the `.ssh` directory exists in your home folder on the Pi and has the right permissions:

mkdir -p ~/.ssh chmod 700 ~/.ssh

Then, append your copied public key to the `authorized_keys` file:

echo "PASTE_YOUR_PUBLIC_KEY_HERE" >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys

Remember to replace "PASTE_YOUR_PUBLIC_KEY_HERE" with the actual content you copied from your Windows machine. This manual method, you know, gives you more control.

Making Connections Easier with an SSH Config File

Typing the full `ssh pi@192.168.1.105` command every time can get a bit tiresome, especially if you have multiple Raspberry Pis or use different usernames and ports. This is where an SSH configuration file comes in handy. It lets you create shortcuts for your connections, which is, honestly, a lifesaver.

As per "My text," you might wonder, "How do I set the host name and port in a config file for Windows, using OpenSSH through PowerShell?" Well, it's pretty simple. You'll create or edit a file named `config` (with no file extension) in your `.ssh` directory on Windows.

Creating or Editing the SSH Config File

Open PowerShell and type the following command to open the `config` file in Notepad (or your preferred text editor):

notepad $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\config

If the file doesn't exist, Notepad will ask if you want to create it. Say yes. Now, you can add entries for your Raspberry Pi connections. Here's an example:

Host mypi HostName 192.168.1.105 User pi Port 22 IdentityFile C:\Users\YourUsername\.ssh\id_rsa ForwardX11 yes

Let's break down what each line means:

`Host mypi`: This is the shortcut name you'll use. You can call it anything you like, perhaps `livingroom_pi` or `server_pi`.
`HostName 192.168.1.105`: This is your Raspberry Pi's IP address.
`User pi`: This is the username you use to log into your Raspberry Pi.
`Port 22`: This specifies the SSH port. If you changed it on your Pi, put that number here.
`IdentityFile C:\Users\YourUsername\.ssh\id_rsa`: This tells SSH which private key to use for this connection. Make sure the path is correct for your system.
`ForwardX11 yes`: This is for X11 forwarding, which allows you to run graphical applications from your Pi and display them on your Windows desktop (if you have an X server like VcXsrv running on Windows).

Save the `config` file and close Notepad. Now, to connect to your Pi, all you need to type in PowerShell is:

ssh mypi

Isn't that, you know, much cleaner? This really streamlines your workflow. You can add as many `Host` entries as you need for different Pis or even different users on the same Pi. This makes managing multiple devices, you know, so much simpler.

Tackling Common SSH Connection Issues

Sometimes, things don't go exactly as planned, and you might run into issues when trying to SSH. It's pretty common, actually. Here are some frequent problems and how to sort them out.

Connection Refused

If you get a "Connection refused" error, it usually means the Raspberry Pi isn't listening for SSH connections. Double-check these things:

Is SSH enabled on your Raspberry Pi? Go back to the "Getting Your Raspberry Pi Ready" section and confirm.
Is your Raspberry Pi actually powered on and connected to the network? A simple restart of the Pi can sometimes fix network glitches.
Is the IP address correct? Make sure you're trying to connect to the right IP.
Is there a firewall on your Pi blocking port 22 (or whatever port you're using)? If you've set up a firewall like UFW, make sure SSH is allowed.

Permission Denied (Public Key)

This error often pops up when you're trying to use SSH keys, and the Pi isn't accepting your key. Things to check:

Did you copy your public key to the Pi correctly? Make sure the entire key string is in `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` on the Pi.
Are the permissions on your `.ssh` directory and `authorized_keys` file on the Pi correct? The `.ssh` directory should be `chmod 700` and `authorized_keys` should be `chmod 600`. Incorrect permissions will cause the Pi to reject the key.
Is your private key on Windows correctly specified in your `ssh_config` file, if you're using one? The documentation is not clear on how to explicitly use only that key sometimes, but `IdentityFile` in the config file is the way to tell SSH exactly which key to use.

Password Prompt Despite Using Keys

If you've set up keys but are still being asked for a password, it means SSH isn't using your key for some reason. This might be because:

The `IdentityFile` path in your `ssh_config` is wrong or missing.
Your private key has a passphrase, and you're not entering it when prompted (or you're expecting no prompt).
The public key wasn't copied correctly to the Pi, or its permissions are wrong.
The SSH server on the Pi is configured to disallow key authentication (less common for default Pi setups).

X11 Forwarding Issues

Sometimes you want to run a graphical application from your Pi and have it appear on your Windows desktop. This is called X11 forwarding. If it's not working, you might notice that "display is not set" when you try to run a graphical program. As "My text" notes, "If you run ssh and display is not set, it means ssh is not forwarding the x11 connection."

Make sure you have an X server installed and running on your Windows 11 machine (like VcXsrv).
Ensure you're connecting with `ssh -X` or `ssh -Y` (for trusted X11 forwarding) or have `ForwardX11 yes` in your `ssh_config` file for that host.
To confirm that ssh is forwarding x11, check for a line containing "requesting x11 forwarding" in the verbose output of your SSH connection. You can get this by adding `-v` to your SSH command, like `ssh -v mypi`. This will show you a lot of detail about the connection process, which is, you know, very helpful for debugging.

Variable Not Defined Error (from "My text")

The phrase "This variable sounds like what I am looking for, but it is not defined" from "My text" suggests a common pitfall. People often look for environment variables to control SSH behavior directly, but many SSH settings, especially for client-side configuration, are managed through the `ssh_config` file, not simple environment variables. If you're looking for a specific setting, checking the `man ssh_config` page (on Linux/macOS) or online documentation for OpenSSH client configuration is often more fruitful than searching for a direct variable. It's,

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