Setting up OpenSSH for Windows using public key authentication

Question

I am having issues setting up OpenSSH for Windows, using public key authentication.

I have this working on my local desktop and can ssh with a key from Unix machines

Answer 1

I've thoroughly tested n0rd's solution on multiple Windows Pro 1809 and 2004 computers. I concur with most of his steps.

Server setup (elevated PowerShell): Agree with all.

Client setup (non-elevated PowerShell): Agree with all.

Server setup continued (non-elevated PowerShell): Steps 1,2,3: Agree

Server setup continued (non-elevated PowerShell): Step 4: Do NOT perform anything in step 4.

Server setup continued (non-elevated PowerShell): Step 5: Agree

Server setup continued (non-elevated PowerShell): Step 6: (added) Uncomment (remove #) from C:\ProgramData\ssh\sshd_config: #PasswordAuthentication yes

Server setup continued (non-elevated PowerShell): Step 7: (added) In Services, restart OpenSSH SSH Server.

I did not find any issues, with any file, regarding security, permissions or Unicode. They were all correct out of the box.