Step-by-Step: Convert PEM File to PPK File for PuTTY in Windows

Original post: Convert a PEM File to a PPK File Using PuTTY

If you’ve ever tried connecting to an AWS EC2 instance using PuTTY, you may have noticed it doesn’t accept .pem key files directly. PuTTY works with .ppk format, so you’ll need to convert your key before connecting.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the complete process of transforming a .pem file into a .ppk file on Windows using PuTTY. By the end, you’ll have a properly formatted key ready for secure SSH access — no errors, no confusion.

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Step 1: Download and Install PuTTY

1. Visit the official PuTTY website to download the installer.

2. Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Step 2: Open PuTTYgen

1. After installation, search for PuTTYgen in your Start Menu and open it.

2. On the PuTTYgen home screen, under the Actions section, click Load to load an existing private key file.

Step 3: Load the PEM File

1. A file explorer window will open.

2. At the bottom right corner, change the file type filter from PuTTY Private Key Files (\.ppk) to All Files*.

3. Select the .pem file you want to convert and click Open.

Step 4: Import the PEM Key

After selecting the file, you should see the following message:

Successfully imported foreign key (OpenSSH SSH-2 private key (old PEM format)).

To use this key with PuTTY, you’ll need to click Save private key to save it in PuTTY’s format.

Step 5: Save the Key as a PPK File

1. Under the Actions section, click Save private key.

2. You may see a warning:

   PuTTYgen Warning
   Are you sure you want to save this key without a passphrase to protect it?

   Click Yes (unless you want to add a passphrase).

3. Choose a filename for your .ppk file and click Save.

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You have now successfully converted your PEM file to a PPK file and can use it with PuTTY.