Like PuTTY but wish it remembered more and needed fewer clicks? KiTTY is a free fork of PuTTY for SSH and Telnet that adds a session filter, automatic login, login scripts, shortcuts and a fully portable mode.
How does KiTTY organize remote connections?
KiTTY keeps SSH and Telnet sessions in one Windows terminal client. Save a connection as a session profile to retain its settings, then select that profile for a later connection instead of entering the same details again. Session filtering helps find a saved connection when the profile list grows.
Each session opens in its own window, and a duplicate-session command opens another connection to the same host instantly. In portable mode, sessions are saved in files beside the program, so KiTTY can travel on a USB stick.
Saved profiles and repeat tasks
Profiles are the core of a recurring KiTTY workflow: save a connection, reopen it when needed, and keep separate profiles for different remote systems. Alongside the connection details, KiTTY can retain window settings for a session, reducing repeated setup.
- Use session filtering to locate a profile.
- Send a running session to the system tray to keep the desktop tidy.
- Set predefined command shortcuts for commands used often.
Login scripts and shortcuts
KiTTY can run scripts automatically when a session logs in. This suits repeatable sequences of remote actions; for example, scripts can handle file-copy tasks between folders. Predefined command shortcuts offer another way to reduce repeated typing during remote work.
Extras include ZModem file transfer, clickable URLs, window transparency, per-session icons and a button to open the same host in WinSCP for file transfers.
Pros
- Saved profiles retain connection settings for repeat access
- Portable mode keeps sessions in files on a USB stick
- Login scripts and predefined shortcuts automate repeated actions
- Session filtering narrows down saved connections
Cons
- No built-in tabbed interface
- Saved auto-login passwords are a security risk on shared PCs
- Lags behind the newest PuTTY releases
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
What protocols does KiTTY support?
KiTTY supports remote sessions over SSH and Telnet.
Can KiTTY keep more than one session open?
Yes, each in its own window; KiTTY has no built-in tabs, but tools such as SuperPuTTY can host it in tabs.
Can KiTTY automate actions at login?
Yes. It can run scripts automatically when a session logs in, and it also supports predefined command shortcuts.