Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell and type ssh root@ followed by your server’s IP address, then enter the root password from your server’s welcome email. Windows 10 and 11 have the SSH client built in, so there is nothing to install.
- Find your login details. For a KVM VPS, the IP address and root password arrive by email once the server is built. For a managed cPanel VPS, use the details we sent at handover. Lost the email? In the client area, open Email History.
- Open a terminal. Press the Start button and type Terminal (Windows 11) or PowerShell (Windows 10), then open it.
- Connect. Type
ssh [email protected], using your own IP address, and press Enter. If you were given a different SSH port, add it:ssh -p 2222 [email protected]. - Trust the server. The first time, Windows shows the server’s fingerprint and asks whether to continue. Type
yesand press Enter. - Enter the password. Nothing appears on screen while you type or paste; that is normal. Right-click pastes in the terminal.
- A prompt ending in
#, such asroot@kvm-4:~#, means you are in. Typeexitto disconnect.
Use a key instead of a password
- On your PC, run
ssh-keygen -t ed25519, press Enter to accept the location, and set a passphrase. - Copy the key to the server:
type $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub | ssh [email protected] "mkdir -p ~/.ssh && chmod 700 ~/.ssh && cat >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys" - Connect again. You should be asked for the key’s passphrase, not the server password.
Prefer PuTTY? Enter the IP address under Host Name, leave the port at 22 (or the port you were given), choose SSH, click Open, accept the host key, and log in as root.
If it won’t connect
| Message | What to do |
|---|---|
ssh is not recognised | Add OpenSSH Client under Settings → System → Optional features (on Windows 10, Settings → Apps → Optional features). |
| Connection timed out | Check the IP address, check the server is running in the VPS control panel, then check a firewall isn’t blocking you. |
| Permission denied | The password is wrong. Log in through the VNC console in the VPS control panel to reset it with passwd. |
| Remote host identification has changed | Normal after a reinstall. Run ssh-keygen -R 203.0.113.24 with your IP, then connect again. |
Some office and hotel networks block SSH. If it times out at work but connects over your phone’s hotspot, the network is the problem, not the server.
Still stuck? Open a support ticket or message us on WhatsApp +263 73 563 9917, Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00 CAT.
Updated 6 November 2026. Something here out of date? Tell us.