To SSH into a Raspberry Pi from Windows 10, make sure SSH is turned on for the Pi, then open PowerShell or Command Prompt and run ssh -l username hostname.local, using the username you set up on the Pi and its hostname (or its IP address). Type yes the first time to trust the Pi’s key, enter the password, and you’ll have a command line on the Pi. Windows 10 includes an OpenSSH client, so you don’t need to install anything extra on current versions.
Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. The same steps work on Windows 11.
Quick Answer
Enable SSH on the Pi > open PowerShell > ssh -l yourname raspberrypi.local (or the Pi’s IP) > yes > password.
Step 1: Turn On SSH on the Pi
- Setting up a new SD card: In Raspberry Pi Imager, open the OS customization settings before writing, set a username and password, and turn on SSH on the Services tab. You can also paste in a public key there for password-free login.
- On a Pi that’s already running: Run sudo raspi-config, choose Interface Options > SSH > Yes. On the desktop, use Preferences > Raspberry Pi Configuration > Interfaces.
Recent versions of Raspberry Pi OS don’t include a default “pi” account with a known password, so use the username you created during setup.
Step 2: Find the Pi’s Address
- Try the hostname first: raspberrypi.local is the default unless you changed it.
- If that doesn’t resolve, find the Pi’s IP address on your router’s list of connected devices, or run hostname -I on the Pi.
Step 3: Connect from Windows
- Right-click Start and open Windows PowerShell or Terminal.
- Type ssh -l yourname raspberrypi.local, replacing yourname with your Pi username. Use the IP address instead of the hostname if needed.
- The first time, type yes to accept the host key.
- Enter your password (nothing appears as you type) and press Enter.
- Type exit when you’re done.
Connection Options
| Tool | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Built-in OpenSSH (PowerShell/CMD) | Most people; nothing to install |
| A graphical SSH client | If you prefer saved sessions and a GUI |
| Raspberry Pi Connect | Browser-based remote access from outside your home network |
| VS Code Remote – SSH | Editing code on the Pi from your PC |
For general Linux servers, see how to SSH from Windows to Linux.
If the Pi acts up, check the SD card’s health.
Troubleshooting
- “ssh is not recognized”: Go to Settings > Apps > Optional features and add OpenSSH Client.
- “Connection refused”: SSH isn’t enabled on the Pi, or you have the wrong address.
- “Could not resolve hostname”: Use the IP address instead of the .local name.
- “REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED”: Common after reinstalling the Pi’s OS. Remove the old entry with ssh-keygen -R raspberrypi.local and connect again.
- Permission denied: Check the username and password. Usernames are case-sensitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the default Raspberry Pi password?
Current Raspberry Pi OS has no default password. You create the account during setup.
Can I SSH without a password?
Yes. Create a key pair with ssh-keygen on Windows and add the public key to the Pi, either in Imager or in the Pi’s authorized_keys file.
Can I SSH into the Pi from outside my network?
Opening SSH to the internet is risky. Use a VPN or Raspberry Pi Connect instead.
Summary
- Enable SSH on the Pi (Imager or raspi-config).
- Find its hostname or IP address.
- Run ssh -l username hostname in PowerShell.
- Accept the key, enter the password, and type exit when done.
Matthew Burleigh is the head writer at solveyourtech.com, where he covers topics like the iPhone, Microsoft Office, and Google apps. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has over 15 years of IT experience.
He has been writing online since 2008 and has published thousands of articles that have been read millions of times.