Are you looking for a platform that allows you to access functions on a Linux server from a computer with a Windows operating system? You probably know we do not have many free and complete alternatives in this segment. Therefore, the few that exist, such as PuTTY, deserve an in-depth analysis, thanks to which you can know each of the features they offer.

As we said, PuTTY is an application specially developed to launch functions on a Linux server, even from a Windows PC, because you need a specific client that we don't have by default. This utility stands out for its ease of use, thanks to which, even if we have minimal knowledge, we will get good results in seconds.

Operation

When analyzing the main features of PuTTY, we have to say then that it is a program that we can use as a client for command lines both SCP and SFTP, although in the case of these, you have to know that it will be necessary to install some add-ons that do not come with the software. In most cases, it is a platform that is enough on its own.

PuTTY can connect to the most varied protocols, such as Rlogin, Telnet, or SSH, so you will have a wide availability of options between them to judge at every moment which is the most useful for you. We recommend that you look at its Settings section, where you will find many parameters

you can tweak to improve your user experience.

In any case, if you do not want to leave the functions that we could consider basic PuTTY, you should know that all of them are perfectly grouped within the Session tab, where you can see, for example, the address of the server in question, the type of connection with which you are working, as well as the port. When everything is correct, you only have to click on the Open function, no more than that.

PuTTY will take a few seconds to establish the connection in question, showing you at all times a command line and an icon from which you can access a menu with some of its most basic tools. It would help if you didn't lose sight of this icon since you can control the essential aspects of the session and copy the data you want to the clipboard to look for them later.

The user interface of PuTTY, without being anything special, the truth is we liked it. Indeed, we are in the presence of a design that differs little from what we can traditionally find in the Windows universe. We did not want to fail to point out in the same way that this will make for novices, especially since the adaptation period is much less than usual, which is an advantage.

Keep in mind

PuTTY is a program that, although we can install it on our PC if we wish, PuTTy can also run from a portable, which will save us from going through that installation process that can sometimes be annoying. This is an advantage, especially for those who want to use it on several computers in a short period, as this way, they will go straight to the point, avoiding intermediate steps.

The best

If we have to consider the main positive aspects of using PuTTY, we will have to stop in the first instance in the huge compatibility it has with the main types of connections with which we can work today. It has several Configuration options, without losing sight that the Help section offers us is one of the most complete.

The worst

PuTTY does not have too many major flaws, although you have to know that if you want to use SFTP, you will need to download an additional executable since this tool, by default, does not have support for this type of connection. For the rest, we consider that it fulfills all the other aspects the software could evaluate. Of course, a Spanish translation would not have been superfluous, but it is understood that we do not have it.

Evaluation

PuTTY is one of the best alternatives, free and portable, with which you can count to launch actions in a Linux environment from a Windows operating system. It will allow you to manage everything you want at the client and connection level, so you can get the session you're looking for with each parameter tailored to your needs. You can be sure that there are not many apps in this segment that overshadow it.