How do I verify/check/test/validate my SSH passphrase?

Question

I think I forgot the passphrase for my SSH key, but I have a hunch what it might be. How do I check if I\'m right?

Answer 1

Extending @RobBednark's solution to a specific Windows + PuTTY scenario, you can do so:

1. Generate SSH key pair with PuTTYgen (following Manually generating your SSH key in Windows), saving it to a PPK file;

2. With the context menu in Windows Explorer, choose Edit with PuTTYgen. It will prompt for a password.

If you type the wrong password, it will just prompt again.

Note, if you like to type, use the following command on a folder that contains the PPK file: puttygen private-key.ppk -y.