[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "What%27s%20the%20easiest%20way%20to%20clear%20all%20known%20SSH%20hosts%20on%20Windows%20Server%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here are the easiest ways to clear *all* known SSH hosts on a Windows Server machine, depending on which SSH client you're using:\n\n---\n\n## 1. OpenSSH (built into Windows)\n\n### What to clear\n\n- **User-specific** known hosts file:  \n  `%USERPROFILE%\\.ssh\\known_hosts`  \n  Deleting this file removes all SSH host keys known by that user. ([kernelkarma.it](https://kernelkarma.it/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/505.2.pdf?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **System-wide** known hosts file (affects all users):  \n  `%ProgramData%\\ssh\\ssh_known_hosts`  \n  Removing or emptying this file clears the known hosts entries stored for all users. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1299030/windows-2022-openssh-unable-to-verify-remote-host?utm_source=openai))\n\n### Commands to use\n\nFrom PowerShell or Command Prompt (as usual user):\n\n```powershell\ndel %USERPROFILE%\\.ssh\\known_hosts\n```\n\nAs Administrator (for system-wide file):\n\n```powershell\ndel %ProgramData%\\ssh\\ssh_known_hosts\n```\n\nNote: When connecting again, SSH will ask to accept the fingerprint since it\u2019s no longer in the cache.\n\n---\n\n## 2. Git Bash or WSL\n\nIf you're using Git Bash or Windows Subsystem for Linux:\n\n- Known hosts are still in `~/.ssh/known_hosts` (this resolves to something like `C:\\Users\\<YourUser>\\.ssh\\known_hosts`). ([stackoverflow.com](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/32945533/is-there-a-definitive-path-for-known-hosts-in-windows?utm_source=openai))  \n- You can delete the file:\n\n```bash\nrm ~/.ssh/known_hosts\n```\n\n---\n\n## 3. PuTTY\n\nPuTTY stores known hosts (server host keys) **in the Windows Registry**, not in a file.\n\n- Location:  \n  `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\SimonTatham\\PuTTY\\SshHostKeys`  \n  Deleting this registry key removes *all* stored host keys in PuTTY. ([stackoverflow.com](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/32945533/is-there-a-definitive-path-for-known-hosts-in-windows?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## 4. Summary Table\n\n| SSH Client / Context | What to Delete | Path or Registry |\n|----------------------|----------------|------------------|\n| OpenSSH (per user)   | `known_hosts` file | `%USERPROFILE%\\.ssh\\known_hosts` |\n| OpenSSH (all users)  | system-wide known hosts file | `%ProgramData%\\ssh\\ssh_known_hosts` |\n| Git Bash / WSL       | `known_hosts` file in user\u2019s home | `~/.ssh/known_hosts` |\n| PuTTY                | Registry entries for SSH host keys | HKCU\\Software\\SimonTatham\\PuTTY\\SshHostKeys |\n\n---\n\nIf you tell me which SSH client you\u2019re using (OpenSSH, PuTTY, etc.), I can give you the exact steps tailored for your setup."
    }
]