Problem using git on Windows 7 with msysgit and .ssh keys

Question

I'm using git on my Ubuntu machine with my existing ssh keys.

Now I have to use Git on Windows 7, and need to use the same keypairs.
I have set up msysgit and created an .ssh folder in Users\username\.ssh.
I have copied my keypair from Ubuntu's .ssh folder to this folder.

But when I try to clone the Git repo, it stops and asks for the password.
According to some tutorials, I should have some options during the msysgit installation regarding ssh, but I saw none.
Do you have any suggestions to solve this?

score 13 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:41

13

You need to set your HOME environment variable to whatever directory you selected for creating the .ssh folder (it doesn't have to be necessarily Users\username\).

%HOME% isn't a native environment variable (%HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% or %USERPROFILE% is), and the mingw Unix-like session of msysgit is entirely based on the $HOME value.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:41

Community

1

answered Mar 26 '11 at 08:36

VonC

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Thanks, but how do I add this HOME env. variable? – Burre Mar 28 '11 at 00:20
@Burre: simply define a User environment variable called `HOME` in your Windows settings, like described in http://www.itechtalk.com/thread3595.html. – VonC Mar 28 '11 at 05:37
HOMEPATH does not suffice, it should either be %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH% or %USERPROFILE% – bgerth Sep 28 '15 at 08:26
@bgerth Thank you, I have belatedly edited the answer. – VonC Dec 11 '15 at 09:07

Problem using git on Windows 7 with msysgit and .ssh keys

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