What is sshd.exe?

sshd.exe is an executable file associated with the OpenSSH SSH Server, specifically for the Windows operating system. It is typically located in the directory C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenSSH\usr\sbin. The "sshd" stands for Secure Shell Daemon, which is a background process that allows secure encrypted communications between two systems.

OpenSSH for Windows is a free suite of security-related network-level utilities based on the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol. It provides a secure channel over an unsecured network in a client-server architecture, connecting an SSH client application with an SSH server. It is commonly used for remote command-line, login, and remote command execution.

sshd.exe is needed when you want to establish secure communications between different systems. It is especially useful in managing and transferring files securely over networks, executing commands remotely, and setting up secure tunnels for other protocols. It is a critical component of the OpenSSH server and is necessary for its operation.

Under normal circumstances, there is no need to remove sshd.exe if you are using the OpenSSH server. If you find that it is consuming too many system resources or if you no longer need the OpenSSH server, you may choose to remove it. If the sshd.exe file is located outside of the usual OpenSSH directory, it could potentially be a virus or malware disguised as the legitimate file. In such cases, it is recommended to run a malware scan and remove the suspicious file.

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Sshd.exe file information

Windows Task Manager with sshd — Sshd.exe process in Windows Task Manager

The process known as OpenSSH SSH Server belongs to software OpenSSH for Windows (version 6.7p1-2) or Copssh by unknown.

Description: Sshd.exe is not essential for the Windows OS and causes relatively few problems. Sshd.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files (x86)"—mostly C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenSSH\usr\sbin\. Known file sizes on Windows 10/11/7 are 277,504 bytes (30% of all occurrences), 694,301 bytes and 12 more variants.
The process has no file description. The program has no visible window. The sshd.exe file is not a Windows core file. The application listens for or sends data on open ports to a LAN or the Internet. Sshd.exe is able to hide itself. Therefore the technical security rating is 65% dangerous; however you should also read the user reviews.

Uninstalling this variant: You can uninstall the OpenSSH for Windows or OpenSSH for Windows 6.7p1-2 program, update it, or ask Customer Support for help. Go to sshwindows.sourceforge.net or www.mls-software.com to update it, go to sshwindows.sourceforge.net or www.mls-software.com for support, or go to OpenSSH for Windows or OpenSSH for Windows 6.7p1-2 in Windows Control Panel (Software or Programs section) to uninstall it.

Recommended: Identify sshd.exe related errors

If sshd.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows, the security rating is 81% dangerous. The file size is 2,500,799 bytes (75% of all occurrences) or 397,838 bytes.
If sshd.exe is located in a subfolder of C:\Windows\System32, the security rating is 16% dangerous. The file size is 782,336 bytes. There is no file information. The program has no visible window. The application uses ports to connect to or from a LAN or the Internet. It is a Windows system file. The file is a trustworthy file from Microsoft.

Important: Some malware camouflages itself as sshd.exe, particularly when located in the C:\Windows or C:\Windows\System32 folder. Therefore, you should check the sshd.exe process on your PC to see if it is a threat. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. This was one of the Top Download Picks of The Washington Post and PC World.

Score

User Comments

SSH Server through Cygwin
shaun

Cygwin SSH demon process
Martin Fuchs

SSH Server by cygwin.
Paulo Casanova (further information)

This OPENSSH server, if you don't use it please remove it, even if it's not dangerous. For info go to www.openssh.org or www.cygwin.org (or similar). I use sshd on Linux.
mrkiko

ssh server for cygwin
dylan

I intentionally installed this file on my computer. Definitely a Cygwin component. MD5 checksum in my case (may vary with version): 1899758963ab27871ef060f082c96b3c
Wireball

Summary: Average user rating of sshd.exe: based on 9 votes with 6 user comments. 9 users think sshd.exe is essential for Windows or an installed application.

Best practices for resolving sshd issues

A clean and tidy computer is the key requirement for avoiding problems with sshd. This means running a scan for malware, cleaning your hard drive using 1cleanmgr and 2sfc /scannow, 3uninstalling programs that you no longer need, checking for Autostart programs (using 4msconfig) and enabling Windows' 5Automatic Update. Always remember to perform periodic backups, or at least to set restore points.

Should you experience an actual problem, try to recall the last thing you did, or the last thing you installed before the problem appeared for the first time. Use the 6resmon command to identify the processes that are causing your problem. Even for serious problems, rather than reinstalling Windows, you are better off repairing of your installation or executing the 7DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command. This allows you to repair the operating system without losing data.

To get your computer running as fast as it did on day one, you can 8reset your PC. Your personal files will remain intact, but any programs you installed will need to be reinstalled.

To help you analyze the sshd.exe process on your computer, the following programs have proven to be helpful: ASecurity Task Manager displays all running Windows tasks, including embedded hidden processes, such as keyboard and browser monitoring or Autostart entries. A unique security risk rating indicates the likelihood of the process being potential spyware, malware or a Trojan. A good Bantivirus software detects and removes sleeping spyware, adware, Trojans, keyloggers, malware and trackers from your hard drive.

Other processes

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