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Windows 11 treats OpenSSH Client as an optional Feature on Demand (FoD), so it may not be installed even though OpenSSH components are included with current Windows builds. You need the client when you want to connect from Windows 11 to a Linux server, network device, cloud VM, or another SSH host.
This tutorial covers the current Settings interface, PowerShell, offline installation, verification, and the difference between the SSH client and server.
Before you begin
OpenSSH Client is separate from OpenSSH Server:
| Component | Purpose | Capability name |
|---|---|---|
| OpenSSH Client | Makes outbound SSH connections from Windows | OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0 |
| OpenSSH Server | Accepts inbound SSH connections to Windows | OpenSSH.Server~~~~0.0.1.0 |
This guide installs only the client. You do not need to start the sshd service, open inbound TCP port 22, or create the OpenSSH-Server-In-TCP firewall rule just to connect to another computer.
Method 1: Install OpenSSH Client from Settings
- Open the Start menu and select Settings. You can also press
Windows + I. - Go to System > Optional features.
- Next to Add an optional feature, select View features.
- In the search box, type
OpenSSH Client. - Select the checkbox beside OpenSSH Client, then select Next.
- Review the selected feature and select Add.
Windows downloads and registers the capability. A restart is not normally required for a successful client installation.
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If your Settings labels look different
Microsoft’s OpenSSH-specific documentation uses slightly different labels: search Start for Optional Feature, select Add an optional feature, select Add a feature, search for OpenSSH Client, and select Install.
On a Windows 11 build that has not received the latest cumulative update, Optional features may instead be under Settings > Apps > Optional features. The current path is Settings > System > Optional features.
Open the correct page directly
Rather than navigating through Settings, press Windows + R, enter the following URI, and select OK:
ms-settings:optionalfeaturesThis opens the Optional features page directly. You can then select View features and install OpenSSH Client.
Method 2: Install OpenSSH Client with PowerShell
PowerShell is useful on managed computers, in scripts, or when the Settings search does not display the feature.
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- Open Start and search for PowerShell.
- Right-click Windows PowerShell or PowerShell and select Run as administrator.
- Check whether the capability is already installed:
Get-WindowsCapability -Online | Where-Object Name -like 'OpenSSH*'Look for the client entry:
Name : OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0If it shows State : NotPresent, install it with:
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0A successful result commonly resembles:
Path :
Online : True
RestartNeeded : FalseRestartNeeded : False means Windows does not inherently require a reboot after this installation. If Windows reports that a restart is pending, restart before testing the client.
Verify that the SSH client is installed
Run this command in PowerShell or Command Prompt:
ssh -VA working installation returns an OpenSSH version rather than an “ssh is not recognized” error. You can also confirm the executable location:
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C:WindowsSystem32OpenSSHIn File Explorer, paste that path into the address bar. The OpenSSH folder contains the Windows client tools. The installed capability should also appear if you search for OpenSSH on the Optional features page.
To make a real connection, use the following format, replacing the values with the account and hostname of your SSH server:
ssh username@server.example.comFor a nonstandard SSH port, use the -p option:
ssh -p 2222 username@server.example.comInstall from an offline Features on Demand source
If the computer cannot reach Windows Update, or if your organization uses WSUS or an internal update source without optional-feature content, the normal Settings and PowerShell installation can fail. First check the exact Windows version and build:
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winver.exeThe Features on Demand media must match the Windows version and build family. For example, a Windows 11 version 21H2 installation requires the corresponding Windows 11 version 21H2 package. Do not assume that media for a different release is compatible.
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dism /online /add-capability /capabilityname:OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0 /source:E:The equivalent PowerShell cmdlet supports a source path and can prevent Windows from contacting Windows Update:
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0 -Source "E:" -LimitAccessUse -LimitAccess only when the supplied source contains the required capability and you intentionally want to prevent Windows from using online sources.
Troubleshoot installation failures
Windows cannot find the optional-feature content
On restricted or managed computers, installation may fail because Windows Update is unreachable, Group Policy redirects servicing to an unavailable source, or WSUS does not contain the required Features on Demand package. Common error codes include:
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0x800F0954 CBS_E_NO_OPTIONAL_CONTENT_FOUND_ON_UPDATE_SERVERS
0x800F0950 COMException
0x8024402C WU_E_PT_WINHTTP_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED
0x80240438 WU_E_PT_ENDPOINT_UNREACHABLE
0x8024500CCheck the computer’s network and update policy, or ask the administrator for matching Features on Demand media. For an offline installation, verify the Windows build with winver.exe before selecting the package.
“OpenSSH is already built in” but the client is missing
Windows 11 includes OpenSSH components, but the client is exposed as an optional Feature on Demand and can still have the state NotPresent. Use the PowerShell status command rather than relying on the assumption that it is ready.
The SSH command is still not recognized
Confirm that the capability state is Installed, then open a new PowerShell or Command Prompt window and run ssh -V again. If necessary, check that C:WindowsSystem32OpenSSH exists. A damaged or incomplete Windows component installation may require repairing Windows servicing or reinstalling the capability.
You are trying to connect to Windows, not from Windows
If another computer must connect to this Windows 11 machine, installing OpenSSH Client is the wrong operation. Install the separate OpenSSH Server capability and then configure the sshd service and inbound firewall rule. Those server steps are not required for outbound connections made by the client.
Windows 11 versus Windows Server
OpenSSH Client is not installed by default on Windows 11. Windows Server 2025 differs: Microsoft states that OpenSSH Client and OpenSSH Server are installed by default there. This distinction is one reason instructions written for Windows Server can be misleading when applied to Windows 11.
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FAQ
Is OpenSSH Client free on Windows 11?
Yes. It is a Windows optional feature, also called a Feature on Demand. Windows may download its content through Windows Update or install it from matching Features on Demand media.
Do I need to enable the OpenSSH Server service to use SSH from Windows 11?
No. The server service is needed only when Windows must accept inbound SSH connections. The client can make outbound connections without starting sshd or opening inbound port 22.
Does installing OpenSSH Client require a restart?
Not normally. The documented successful PowerShell result shows RestartNeeded : False, although you should follow any restart request reported by Windows.
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Why is OpenSSH Client shown as NotPresent?
Windows 11 includes OpenSSH components but exposes the client as an optional Feature on Demand. NotPresent means the capability is not currently installed and can usually be added through Settings or PowerShell.
What is the PowerShell command to check OpenSSH?
Run Get-WindowsCapability -Online | Where-Object Name -like 'OpenSSH*' in an elevated PowerShell window. The client is identified as OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0.
What should I do if error 0x800F0954 appears?
The computer commonly cannot obtain optional-feature content from its configured update source. Check Windows Update and Group Policy settings, or use matching offline Features on Demand media with DISM.
The Bottom Line
For most Windows 11 installations, open Settings > System > Optional features, choose View features, select OpenSSH Client, and add it. The PowerShell alternative is Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Client~~~~0.0.1.0. Verify the result with ssh -V. Do not configure the SSH server or inbound firewall rule unless other computers must connect to this Windows machine.
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