Windows – convert a .ppk file to a .pem file
- Start PuTTYgen
- Under Actions, choose Load, and then navigate to your .ppk file.
- Choose the .ppk file, and then choose Open.
- Clear the ‘Key passphrase’ and ‘Confirm passphrase’ fields.
NOTE: The passphrase is used to encrypt the key and is an extra layer of protection. If your private key is discovered, it can’t be used, because the passphrase is required to log in. Using a passphrase makes automation difficult because human intervention is needed to log in to an instance, or copy files to an instance.
- Click Conversions from the menu at the top of the PuTTY Key Generator, and then click Export OpenSSH Key.
- For the PuTTYgen warning ‘Are you sure you want to save this key without a passphrase to protect it?’, choose Yes.
- Name the file and add the .pem extension.