Created
July 23, 2025 16:55
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Fix SSH key permission on Windows
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# usage: | |
# save this function to Set-SshKeyPermissions.ps1 | |
# then run in PowerShell as the desired user (non-elevated): | |
# | |
# .\Set-SshKeyPermissions.ps1 | |
# | |
# Set-SshKeyPermissions "$Env:USERPROFILE\.ssh" | |
# | |
# Ref: https://scivision.dev/ssh-agent-config/ | |
function Set-SshKeyPermissions { | |
[CmdletBinding()] | |
param ( | |
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true, Position = 0)] | |
[string]$KeyPath | |
) | |
Write-Host "Setting permissions for $KeyPath" | |
# Define the owner and the key file/directory | |
#$Owner = [System.Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent().Name | |
$UserName = $env:UserName | |
# This is for your specific user account | |
# Disable inheritance and remove all existing permissions | |
Write-Host "Disabling inheritance and removing all existing permissions for $KeyPath..." | |
icacls "$KeyPath" /c /t /inheritance:d /remove:g Administrator "Authenticated Users" "BUILTIN\Administrators" BUILTIN\Everyone Users System | |
# Note: We remove 'System' here to reset it, then grant it back explicitly. | |
# Take ownership if not already owned by the current user | |
Write-Host "Taking ownership of $KeyPath..." | |
Takeown /F "$KeyPath" | |
# Grant Full Control to the current user | |
Write-Host "Granting Full Control to $UserName for $KeyPath..." | |
icacls "$KeyPath" /c /t /grant "${UserName}:F" | |
# Grant Full Control to SYSTEM (important for ssh-agent) | |
Write-Host "Granting Full Control to SYSTEM for $KeyPath..." | |
icacls "$KeyPath" /c /t /grant "SYSTEM:F" | |
# Verify permissions | |
Write-Host "Verifying permissions for $KeyPath..." | |
icacls "$KeyPath" | |
} |
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