OpenSSH Authentication Agent (ssh-agent) Service Defaults in Windows 11
Agent to hold private keys used for public key authentication.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Disabled |
| Display name: | OpenSSH Authentication Agent |
| Service name: | ssh-agent |
| Service type: | own |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | LocalSystem |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\System32\OpenSSH\ssh-agent.exe |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ssh-agent |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
OpenSSH Authentication Agent is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it is disabled. When the OpenSSH Authentication Agent service is started, it logs on as LocalSystem and running in its own process of ssh-agent.exe. If OpenSSH Authentication Agent fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the ssh-agent service startup failure.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of OpenSSH Authentication Agent
1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy the commands below, paste them into the command window and press ENTER:
sc stop ssh-agent
sc config ssh-agent start= disabled
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The ssh-agent service is using the ssh-agent.exe file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32\OpenSSH directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 11 installation media.