To mount a remote server’s file system as a network drive in Windows, using the secure SSH protocol is an efficient alternative to traditional SMB connections. This method allows secure access to files on a remote SSH server without needing to create a separate FTP (SFTP) connection. The SSHFS-Win client facilitates the process of mounting remote file systems via SSH.
You can obtain the SSHFS-Win MSI installer manually or through the built-in WinGet package manager with the following command:
winget install SSHFS-Win.SSHFS-WinOnce installed, you can map a remote folder as a network drive using Windows File Explorer. Right-click on This PC and select Map Network Drive. Assign a drive letter and set the UNC path to the remote directory in this format:
\prefix\user@host[!PORT][\PATH]Where:
useris the account used for SSH authenticationhostrefers to the hostname or IP address of the remote server
You can use the following prefixes:
sshfsto map the user’s home directorysshfs.rto mount the root directory of the remote computersshfs.kto map the user’s home directory using an SSH keysshfs.krto connect to the root directory with an SSH key
For instance, to mount the C:PS directory from a remote Windows host with the SSH server enabled, the command would be:
\sshfs.r<user>@<host>psOn connecting, you’ll need to enter the password for the remote user. You have the option to save the password in Windows Credential Manager for future logins.
Alternatively, you can map a network drive from the command prompt using the net use command. To mount the /var/www directory from a Linux host, use:
net use W: \sshfs.r<user>@<host>varwww /user:sysopsThis command will prompt for the user’s password each time. To persist the mapping across reboots, add the /persistent:yes option.
To avoid entering the password each time, you can store the credentials using:
cmdkey /add:<host> /user:<user> /pass:<password>Multiple network drives can be connected simultaneously using the WinFsp.Np provider. To view connected drives, run:
net useTo delete a mapped network drive, use:
net use M: /deleteWhile it is possible to include the user’s password in plain text in the net use command, it is more secure to utilize SSH key authentication. To set this up, generate SSH keys on Windows and copy the public key to the authorized_keys file on the remote SSH server.
You can also automate the mapping of a network drive over SSH at Windows logon by creating a scheduled task that runs a PowerShell script. Here’s an example script:
$remoteUser = "admin"$remoteHost = "fs01.woshub.com"$remoteDir = "Install"$Drive = "M:"$privSSHKey = "C:secretfs01-id_rsa"cd 'C:Program FilesSSHFS-Winbin'$mountcmd = ".sshfs-win.exe svc sshfs.k$remoteUser@$remoteHost$remoteDir $Drive -IdentityFile=$privSSHKey"Invoke-Expression $mountcmdFor a more user-friendly experience, you can utilize graphical client tools like SSHFS-Win-Manager, which supports both password and key-based authentication for mapping remote directories.