For Windows users, you cannot natively open a terminal and SSH into an EC2 instance running a Linux OS. To do this you’ll need to use a program called Putty (to run the terminal commands) and its sidekick, PuttyGen (to log in with your key pair)

Download the software to your desktop:

• Putty.exe
• PuttyGen.exe

Convert the key from a .pem to .ppk file

• Open PuttyGen > Load Key
• Search for your key (you’ll need to change the default file extension from .ppk to *.* all files) and load (open) it.
• After successfully loading it, save the Private Key format.
  • Recommend to use the same file name, but change to .ppk
  • You will be prompted to password protect this key, but that is not required.

Open Putty

• Hostname = ec2-user@IP.ADD.RE.SS
• Menu > SSH > Auth > Browse > yourPrivateKey.ppk
  • This would be a good time to save the session.

Customize

• With Putty, you can easily change the font, colors, etc.