Connect Windows

Windows 10, 11, and Windows Server include Microsoft's OpenSSH Server as an optional feature. Once it runs, SwiftServer connects to Windows like any other machine — including monitoring.

Install OpenSSH Server

With the Settings app: open Settings → System → Optional features → Add an optional feature, search for OpenSSH Server, and install it.

Or with PowerShell (run as Administrator):

Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Server~~~~0.0.1.0

Start the service

In the same elevated PowerShell:

Start-Service sshd
Set-Service -Name sshd -StartupType 'Automatic'

Installing the feature creates and enables a firewall rule (OpenSSH-Server-In-TCP) for inbound port 22 automatically — verify it if you use third-party firewall software.

Microsoft's reference: Get started with OpenSSH Server for Windows.

Add the machine in SwiftServer

Add a machine with the PC's address and a Windows account:

• Username — the local account name, or for Microsoft accounts the email form usually works ([email protected]).
• Password — the account's password. Accounts without a password cannot log in over SSH.

The default SSH shell on Windows is cmd.exe; SwiftServer's monitoring and terminal work with cmd, Windows PowerShell, or pwsh as the default shell.

icacls.exe "C:\ProgramData\ssh\administrators_authorized_keys" /inheritance:r /grant "Administrators:F" /grant "SYSTEM:F"

If the connection fails

• Connection refused — sshd is not running (Start-Service sshd) or the firewall rule is disabled.
• Password rejected — try MicrosoftAccount\[email protected] as the username form, or use a local account.
• Key rejected for an admin account — the administrators_authorized_keys location and permissions above are almost always the reason.

More in Troubleshooting → Connections.