Microsoft Quietly Adds Native OpenSSH Client to Windows 10

Megalith

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It’s a long-overdue move that’s guaranteed to delight developers who use Windows as their daily driver: Microsoft is introducing a native OpenSSH client to Windows 10. This means that developers won’t have to rely on third-party software (like PuTTY) whenever they log into a remote server. They can just use an officially Microsoft-supported tool, from the familiar Windows command prompt.

Once you download and install the OpenSSH client using the settings app in Windows 10, you will be able to use SSH from an elevated CMD or PowerShell. Of course, users using the Windows Subsystem for Linux have already been able to use SSH in Windows 10, but the addition of the built-in OpenSSH client right in Windows 10 will be a welcome addition for those who don’t need all the features that come with the entire Windows Subsystem for Linux.
 
Not just SSH client, but SSH server too. This is likely the best gift to the hacker community ever offered by any company. Given the number of security holes in Windows all the world needed was a new vector to exploit them!
 
Not just SSH client, but SSH server too. This is likely the best gift to the hacker community ever offered by any company. Given the number of security holes in Windows all the world needed was a new vector to exploit them!

It's enabled via an admin level area so if they're in that far you're pretty darn borked already. Sure you can turn it on via script but to do that you'd need a system or admin level exploit already, in which case you could just as easily turn on Telnet which was already available. Mostly if bad actors want to poke a hole they can use later they do it via IRC or fly by night websites and have the system report back to them. So while I'm sure this could be exploited, it's not like it's expanding vulnerability so much as adding another (roughly equivalent) option.
 
Very cool, I accidently tried to ssh into my windows 10 box yesterday (had wrong ip) and it actually connected and gave me a cmd prompt from putty, I was like wtf didnt even know that was on -- even before enabling this feature
 
How long before we have Windows running on a Linux Kernel... I understand "that's not how it works", but all of the changes they've been working on to stay relevant lately, why not basically outsource the back end.
 
I was half expecting a "have to go into the windows store to get it!" gotcha, or that it was a metro app, either of which would've made it a big no thanks since it ranks right up there with putting on a pair of dirty underwear.
 
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Oh look, Windows is trying to be like Linux. How quant.

Oh look more MS hate....

They are making it so admins can use their windows box in a mixed environment without additional tools..... As an admin that works in a mixed environment, it helps a lot. Although the linux subsystem already makes this kind of pointless. But MS has been making huge progress in being more open and compatible with different technology. VS Code is amazing (And runs on mac/multiple linux varieties). Linus SS gives you a native bash shell so you can perform regular linux tasks and run programs not available in windows. Even the linux guys on our team are impressed with what MS has been doing in this area.
 
Doesn't matter what m$ does at [H] there'll be someone to make it sound bad/insignificant
 
Next time my cousin brings his computer over for a format... Im gonna own his ssh and randomly set gay porn as his wallpaper. I cant wait.
 
How long before we have Windows running on a Linux Kernel... I understand "that's not how it works", but all of the changes they've been working on to stay relevant lately, why not basically outsource the back end.
kvm virtualization count?
 
Microsoft can't use their usual tactics to extinguish Linux, so they're attempting to include the Linux subsystem in their own OS in an attempt to draw Linux users over - If such moves don't highlight the increasing popularity of Linux, than I don't know what does.

Problem is - It isn't working. People use Linux to escape the issues surrounding Windows, adding bash and SSH to the OS isn't going to extinguish what Ballmer called "a cancer" any time soon. Make no mistake, this has nothing to do with Microsoft loving Linux, this has everything to do with Microsoft's blind fear of Linux.

Windows sysadmins that 'dabble' frustratingly in Linux will be the only users that make use of this feature.
 
I've been using Putty for years. When I worked for MegaCorp - out security group generally did not want any third party software installed. However, I was a Unix programmer with a Windows box. I had to telnet to some (yes!) - and eventually had to SSH. We had to argue with security saying either buy us Unix boxes or give us Putty. We were close to getting Unix boxes! (I also needed Visual Studio for other stuff I developed, so I kind of had to have Windows as you couldn't run VS on any other platforms).
 
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Good to hear. Wonder if WinSCP integration will be possible. Being able to open a terminal window in the currently active directory on WinSCP is very convienent.

I haven't tried it, but some nice fellas here on [H] have opened my eyes to just how much better Microsoft has made the "terminal" with PowerShell added in. Very near Linux terminal capability including legit shell scripting.
 
Interesting. For the longest time Putty's download site used HTTP. Always felt fishy to me to download a security app from an unverifiable website.

Anyways, just checked and Putty's download switched to HTTPS. But no need to download it now. We have provided it for you!

/me slowly puts on tin foil hat.
 
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