Windows - Software Lifecycle - Install Putty

What the PuTTY Installer does

This Automox Worklet™ installs PuTTY on Windows endpoints. PuTTY is a free, open-source SSH, Telnet, and serial console client widely used by system administrators and developers to connect to remote servers and network equipment.

The Worklet uses a advanced installation framework that creates a dedicated cache directory (ProgramData\amagent\WorkletCache), downloads the MSI installer from the Automox API cache, and performs a silent installation with comprehensive logging. The Worklet automatically detects system architecture to download the correct 32-bit or 64-bit version.

The installation process includes built-in error handling for common issues such as TLS configuration problems, invalid paths, and download failures. A five-minute timeout prevents installations from hanging indefinitely.

Why deploy PuTTY through Automox

PuTTY is an essential tool for IT administrators who need to manage Linux servers, network switches, routers, and other remote systems via SSH. Manual deployment of PuTTY across multiple endpoints requires time and creates inconsistency in versions.

Automating PuTTY deployment through this Worklet standardizes the installation and maintains the latest version across your fleet. You can deploy PuTTY to IT staff, developers, and operations teams with a single policy, reducing software request tickets.

The Worklet also helps maintain security by deploying current PuTTY versions that include security patches. Outdated PuTTY versions may have known vulnerabilities that could be exploited during SSH connections.

How PuTTY installation works

1. Evaluation phase: The Worklet searches Windows registry uninstall keys for "Putty" in both 64-bit (SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall) and 32-bit (SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall) paths. If found, the endpoint is marked compliant.

2. Remediation phase: The Worklet creates a cache directory, detects system architecture, downloads the MSI from the Automox API cache, executes msiexec with /qn /norestart and ALLUSERS=1 arguments, logs the installation to the cache directory, waits up to five minutes for completion, and removes the installer file.

PuTTY installation requirements

• Windows workstation or server endpoint

• Network connectivity to download from api.automox.com

• TLS 1.2 enabled (required for download)

• Write access to ProgramData\amagent\WorkletCache directory

• Administrative privileges for MSI installation

• No user configuration required - all parameters are predefined

Expected state after PuTTY installation

After successful remediation, PuTTY appears in the Windows Programs list and registry uninstall keys. The PuTTY application and associated tools (PSFTP, PuTTYgen, Pageant) become available in the Start menu. Installation logs are saved to ProgramData\amagent\WorkletCache\WSE-763\Putty_install.log.

The installer file is automatically removed after installation. Subsequent Worklet runs will detect the existing installation and exit without action, marking the endpoint as compliant.

How to validate install putty changes

1. Run this Worklet on a pilot Windows endpoint and review evaluation output for install putty.

2. Confirm Automox activity logs show successful completion and exit code 0.

3. Verify endpoint state using checks aligned to evaluation script logic, such as Write-Output.

4. Validate remediation effects from script operations such as New-WorkletCache, Write-Verbose, Write-Error, then rerun evaluation for compliance.

For technical validation, compare endpoint state to the Worklet evaluation logic and remediation flow for install putty. This supports repeatable software lifecycle workflows, faster change control review, and auditable compliance evidence.

Useful script references for this Worklet include evaluation operations such as Write-Output and remediation operations such as New-WorkletCache, Write-Verbose, Write-Error. Use these indicators to verify that endpoint changes match intended policy outcomes.