Can you copy SSH keys to new PC? (Windows or Linux)

admin Linux, Windows

You dont need to generate new SSH keys when switching or upgrading to new PC.

Copying SSH Keys to a New PC: Windows and Linux

On Linux:

  1. Locate Your SSH Keys: Your keys are usually in the ~/.ssh/ directory. 
    ls -al ~/.ssh
  2. Copy the Keys: Use a USB drive or a secure transfer method. If using scp: 
    scp -r ~/.ssh username@newPC_IP:~/
  3. Set Permissions: On the new PC, set the correct permissions: 
    chmod 700 ~/.ssh
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa
chmod 644 ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
  4. Test the Connection: 
    ssh -T git@github.com

On Windows:

  1. Locate Your SSH Keys: If using Git Bash, your keys are typically in C:\Users\YourUsername\.ssh\.
  2. Copy the Keys: You can copy the .ssh folder to a USB drive or use file transfer methods.
  3. Paste to the New PC: On the new PC, paste the .ssh folder into C:\Users\YourUsername\.
  4. Permissions: You do not need to set permissions on Windows. Just ensure your private key (id_rsa) remains secure.
  5. Test the Connection: 
    ssh -T git@github.com

Notes:

  • Ensure Security: Keep your private key secure and do not share it.
  • SSH Agent: If you use an SSH agent, you may need to add your key again on the new PC with ssh-add.
  • Update Public Key: If necessary, copy the contents of id_rsa.pub and update it in your Git service account settings.