When connecting via SFTP or SCP in WinSCP, key authentication can be used instead of passwords.
To set up key authentication, do the following:
-
Add public key on the server.
Convert the private key to the format
.ppk
using the utility
PuTTYgen:
Run puttygen.exe
.
In the menu, click
Conversions → Import key»:

Select the generated private key file id_rsa
.
Click "
Save private key»:

If you receive a warning that the passphrase is missing, click
Yes"To continue without it (or you can click"
No"To go back and specify it):

Save the received private key in a safe place.
When setting up a connection via
SFTP or
SCP in WinSCP, instead of specifying a password, do the following:
Click "
Yet…»:

In chapter "
SSH → Authentication"Use the button with three dots to specify in the field"
Private key file"The path to the previously saved private key and click"
OK»:

Check the connection.