Hey folks! I have a question about OpenSSH for Windows, which we're using in our server environment (currently on Server 2022). I installed it using the command `Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Server~~~~0.0.1.0`, and when I check with `Get-Command sshd.exe | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Version`, it shows version 9.5.4.1. That's fine if it's the recommended version, but I've been hearing mixed reports that depending on the update level, users might get either version 7.7 or 9.5, and it seems Windows Update might not even update OpenSSH when a newer version is available. I'm considering just downloading the latest stable version from GitHub to automate future updates with PowerShell. However, I'm confused by the GitHub repository—you can see options for 'Preview' and 'Beta', but I'm unsure how to find the latest stable build. Am I looking in the wrong place? Any insights would be appreciated!
1 Answer
The confusion is pretty common since OpenSSH updates on Windows come through cumulative patches, so whether you get an updated version depends on your current update level. There isn’t a single latest stable version; instead, you get the most up-to-date version when you install the latest Windows update. If you're worried about the version you're running, make sure to enable SSH and check for any Windows updates to ensure you’re synced up. Also, since you’re on 2022, it should come with at least version 7.9 at a minimum. Older versions are typical for 2019, but even those can be kept current with Windows updates.
I appreciate the clarification! We do keep Windows updated regularly, but I keep seeing people mention OpenSSH not updating with it sometimes. It’s a big deal for us managing over 400 servers, so I want to ensure automation is reliable. Is there any API or similar way to verify what the latest Microsoft release for OpenSSH should be?