---
title: "Converting SSH keys for WinSCP"
date: "2024-02-14T06:18:38+00:00"
summary: "Learn how to convert SSH keys for WinSCP using PuTTYgen. Follow our step-by-step guide to create compatible .ppk files for secure SFTP connections to Acquia Cloud Platform."
image:
type: "page"
url: "/acquia-cloud-platform/converting-ssh-keys-winscp"
id: "ed209d2a-fff8-4be8-8cdd-3eb7e7a1e20b"
---

If you want to [use WinSCP as an SFTP client](/acquia-cloud-platform/manage-apps/stpf) to connect to your Cloud Platform infrastructure, you must convert your SSH key into a format compatible with WinSCP. To convert your key into the required `.ppk` format, you can use [PuTTYgen](https://www.puttygen.com/).

PuTTYgen is included in the [WinSCP installation package](http://winscp.net/eng/docs/ui_installer_selectcomponents).

To use PuTTYgen to convert a key into `.ppk` format:

1.  Open PuTTYgen, go to **Conversions**, and then click **Import key**.
    
    PuTTYgen displays a window to load your key.
    
2.  Browse to your SSH private key, select the file, and then click **Open**. Your SSH private key may be in the `Users\[user_name]\.ssh` directory.
    
3.  Enter the passphrase associated with the private key, and then click **OK**. Note the key fingerprint confirms the number of bits is 4096.
    
4.  Go to **File**, and then click **Save private key** to save the key in `.ppk` format.
    

You can now use the `.ppk` file as your key when you use WinSCP.

For more information, see the [PuTTYgen documentation](https://winscp.net/eng/docs/ui_puttygen), including the [note about key formats](https://winscp.net/eng/docs/ui_puttygen#other_formats).