Using SSH with Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows does not include native support for SSH or for running X Windows applications, but various free third-party applications exist which provide these features.

PuTTY

PuTTY is perhaps the most widely-known free SSH client for Windows, and includes versions of the ssh, scp and sftp applications. The components can be downloaded individually or as a bundle, and can be run directly without the need for installation.

http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/

WinSCP

WinSCP is a graphical SFTP client which allows you to drag-and-drop files between local and remote machines.

https://winscp.net/eng/index.php

Swish

Swish is a graphical SFTP client which integrates with Windows Explorer and allows access to files stored on remote machines, as well as the ability to drag-and-drop files between remote machines and the local computer.

http://www.swish-sftp.org

MobaXterm

MobaXterm is an 'enhanced terminal for Windows' incorporating a built-in X server and SSH clients, along with other useful features such as a graphical SFTP client. This is perhaps the easiest way to run X Windows applications under Microsoft Windows, as only one package needs to be installed. There is a free edition which should be suitable for most purposes.

http://mobaxterm.mobatek.net

Cygwin

The Cygwin project provides a complete Linux-like environment for Microsoft Windows, and includes a plethora of common (and not-so-common) Linux applications and utilities. Cygwin offers a powerful and flexible environment, but its configuration can be rather complex.

https://www.cygwin.com

Information specifically concerning configuring the X server and displaying remote client applications can be found in its comprehensive documentation:

http://x.cygwin.com/docs/ug/cygwin-x-ug.html