How To Use Putty with an AWS Private Key

Step 1: convert .PEM file into a .PPK format

Run puttygen.exe

Click on Load

Navigate to a .PEM file as downloaded from AWS > click OK to select it

Click Save Private Key > place the resulting .PPK file onto the Desktop

Step 2: Configure putty to use the generated .PPK file

Run: putty.exe > navigate to Connection > SSH > Auth > click on Browse to import the .PPK file as generated by the previous step

Put a check mark next to ‘Allow agent forwarding’ (important if jump boxes are used in the environment)

Select Data > set Auto-login username

Navigate to Connection > set the keepalive packets interval to 60 [seconds]

Navigate back to Session > input the connection string URL (e.g. [email protected]) > set port number >  give this setup a name > Save > Open when ready to connect