How to Connect to an AWS EC2 Windows Instance with WinSCP

Описание: Learn the steps to successfully connect to an `AWS EC2 Windows Instance` using WinSCP by installing the necessary SSH server software.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/76373241/ asked by the user 'hina abbasi' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/1576710/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/76373371/ provided by the user 'Mark B' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/13070/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to Connect to an AWS EC2 Windows Instance with WinSCP

Connecting to an AWS EC2 Windows instance can sometimes feel frustrating, particularly when you’re trying to transfer files using WinSCP. Many users face this challenge, and if you're among them, you’re not alone. The core of the issue typically lies in how Windows servers handle SSH connections, which is essential to using WinSCP effectively. In this post, we'll explore the reasons you're encountering difficulties and provide a simple, structured solution to get you connected.

Understanding the Problem

When using WinSCP, it's important to note that it relies on the SSH protocol to transfer files. Here's a brief overview of your situation:

You have successfully connected to an Amazon Linux instance using WinSCP.

You attempted to connect to a Windows server on EC2 but faced issues even after modifying firewall settings.

You ensured that port 22 was open and even disabled the firewall altogether, yet connection attempts still failed.

This is a common issue because Windows instances don't handle SSH connections by default, unlike Linux instances. So, what’s the next step? Let’s dive into the solution.

Solution: Installing an SSH Server on Windows

To successfully use WinSCP with your Windows EC2 instance, you'll need to install an SSH server. Here’s how you can do it step by step:

Step 1: Install OpenSSH Server

Log into your Windows EC2 Instance:

Use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to access your instance using the admin credentials you set up during the instance launch.

Open Settings:

Click on the Start Menu, and select Settings (gear icon).

Go to Apps:

Inside Settings, navigate to Apps Optional Features.

Add a Feature:

Click on the Add a feature button at the top. You’ll see a list of available features.

Install OpenSSH Server:

Search for OpenSSH Server, select it, and then click Install. This will install the SSH server on your Windows instance.

Step 2: Start the SSH Service

Open PowerShell:

Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Start the SSH Service:

Type the following command to start the SSH server:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Set it to Start Automatically:

To ensure that the SSH service starts automatically after a reboot, use:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Configure Windows Firewall

Since you're dealing with firewall settings, ensure that your Windows Firewall allows SSH traffic:

In Windows, search for Windows Defender Firewall and select it.

Click on Advanced settings on the left side.

In the Inbound Rules section, create a new rule:

Choose Port, click Next.

Select TCP and specify port 22.

Allow the connection, and proceed to finish the rule creation.

Step 4: Connect with WinSCP

Now that the SSH server is running, you can attempt to connect again using WinSCP:

Open WinSCP.

Select New Site.

Enter the following details:

File Protocol: SCP

Host Name: Your EC2 public DNS or IP address.

Port Number: 22

User Name: Typically Administrator or the name you use to log in.

Password: Your Windows instance password.

Click Login.

Conclusion

Now, you should be successfully connected to your AWS EC2 Windows instance using WinSCP! By following these steps, you can move files seamlessly between your local machine and your EC2 instance. Remember, if you ever run into issues, checking the SSH service and firewall settings is a great first step.

Happy file transferring, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have further questions!