OpenAnyFile
What is a .ppk file?
PuTTY Private Key is a certificate and key format developed by Simon Tatham, first released in 2000. It is usually created by PuTTYgen, WinSCP.
A private SSH key in PuTTY's text format. PuTTYgen converts it to OpenSSH format. Never share it.
File details
| Full name | PuTTY Private Key |
|---|---|
| Category | Certificates & keys |
| MIME type | application/x-putty-private-key |
| Signature (magic bytes) | 50 75 54 54 59 2D 55 73 65 72 2D 4B 65 79 2D 46 69 6C 65 (PuTTY-User-Key-File) |
| Developer | Simon Tatham |
| Introduced | 2000 |
| Opens with | Text reader |
| Uploaded? | No — read locally in your browser |
How to open a .ppk file
OpenAnyFile routes .ppk files to its text reader, which shows the full text.
- Drop your .ppk file on the box above, click it to choose the file, or paste it with Ctrl+V.
- The real format is detected from the file's first bytes — not just its name.
- The file opens in the text reader.
- Use fullscreen for a closer look, check its checksums, or download it back unchanged.
What works — and what does not
Works
Viewing and inspecting: the full text. Size, type, signature and checksums are always shown.
Does not work
Editing and saving back. OpenAnyFile is a viewer, not an editor — for changes you still need the original app.
Is it safe to open a .ppk file online?
Here, yes — because nothing is uploaded. Most "online viewers" send your file to their server. OpenAnyFile reads it with your browser's File API and decodes it on your own device, so there is no copy anywhere else. You can check: open your browser's network tab while opening a file — no upload appears.
Questions about .ppk files
Can I open a .ppk file without installing software?
Yes. OpenAnyFile opens .ppk files in your browser using its text reader. You get the full text, with nothing installed and no account.
How do I know a file is really a .ppk file?
Check its first bytes instead of its name. A genuine PPK file begins with 50 75 54 54 59 2D 55 73 65 72 2D 4B 65 79 2D 46 69 6C 65 (PuTTY-User-Key-File). OpenAnyFile shows the detected type, so a renamed file is easy to spot.
Is my .ppk file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read locally by your browser and never sent to a server — it even works offline once the page has loaded.
Does it work on phones?
Yes — on Android and iPhone, in any modern browser. You can also install OpenAnyFile as an app.
Related formats
Other formats from the same family:
Format facts checked and page updated on September 25, 2026.