sshd and sshd agent service not appearing after install of openssh server/client

Question

Hello,
I am trying to get ssh server running for the first time, but sshd service never installs. I can see all the files in the Openssh folder that are supposed to be there. I've uninstalled and reinstalled the features many times using all of the methods; DISM.exe, Powershell, and through the apps & features. I have also tried doing it in a guest account and in a clean boot environment with no luck as suggested on the old thread:
At this point, I'm out of ideas on how to get sshd to show up.
Thank you

Answer 1

Hi,

Thanks for posting in Q&A platform.

Regarding of your issue "sshd and sshd agent service not appearing after install of openssh server/client", here is a similar thread discussed before, please refer to the following link to see if it was helpful.

https://superuser.com/questions/1392793/sshd-service-on-windows-server-2012-r2-not-showing

I also found following articles regarding of installing and configuring OpenSSH for your reference:

https://github.com/PowerShell/Win32-OpenSSH/wiki/Install-Win32-OpenSSH

Installation of OpenSSH For Windows Server 2019 and Windows 10

OpenSSH Server Configuration for Windows 10 1809 and Server 2019

Please Note: Since the websites are not hosted by Microsoft, the links may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Hope my answer will help you!

---Please Accept as answer if the reply is helpful---

Best Regards,
Sunny

Answer 2

I had a similar problem where the OpenSSH agent service was not present after installing the client via "optional features".

My solution:

• If necessary, remove OpenSSH installations done via winget. Example: winget uninstall "openssh beta".
• If necessary, remove OpenSSH client and server "optional feature" installations via "optional features/remove".
• Install the OpenSSH client via "optional feature/add" (just the client).
• Check the OpenSSH agent is in the list of services (worked for me).
• If necessary, set that service to automatic and start it.
• Check the SSH client is working: ssh -V in PowerShell. I get "OpenSSH_for_Windows_8.6p1, LibreSSL 3.4.3".
• Check the agent works as expected: ssh-add to add keys, ssh-add -l to list keys.
• If necessary, check that VS Code uses the agent by opening a remote connection and seeing if it asks you for a password for a key that's in agent. It should not (worked for me).
• Also, if necessary, check the key was forwarded by VS Code to the agent on the remote if remote forwarding is enabled (worked for me).

My system:

• Windows 11 23H2
• VS Code 1.93