A while ago we have shown you where you can download HyperTerminal for Windows 7. But if you don't want to use that old relic, here are some free HyperTerminal alternatives for Windows 7.

HyperTerminal Alternatives

One great free alternative to HyperTerminal is the Windows Remote Shell or WinRS command. WinRS is a command line that can replace SSH. So if you used HyperTerminal just to SSH into a server you can use the WinRS command to do so. To run WinRS for SSH access, open the command prompt. To do so go to the Start Search and type in CMD and press enter.
 

A command prompt window will open. In that window type in WinRS /?. This command will show you all the syntax for that command.



To SSH into your server you will want to a variation of the following command "winds -r:my server -u:username -p:password cmd" without the quotes.



Using the built in WinRS command is kind of a burden. You will have to type in the command above every time, or create a script, to connect SSH into your server.

PuTTY as HyperTerminal Alternative

Another free alternative to HyperTerminal is PuTTY. You can download PuTTY from here. Double click on the PuTTY executable when you are finished.

You will see a security warning when you launch PuTTY. Uncheck the box next to "Always ask before opening this file" to stop the warning. Then click on Run to open PuTTY.

 
 
PuTTY's configuration window will open. From this main screen make sure you are on the Session category in the left pane. In the right pane enter your Host Name or IP address in the text box. Below that, make sure your connection type is SSH. Click Open to connect.

A terminal prompt will open asking you for a user name.

Secure Shell in Google Chrome

If you don't want to install any extra programs but have Google Chrome installed you can us a handy extension to SSH called Secure Shell. Just click this link in Google Chrome and click the button Add button. You do need a Google account to do so, so make sure you log in.



After you click Add, you will need to confirm your install. Click Add again in the window.

 

When Secure Shell finishes installing you will be taken to the Chrome Apps page. From the Chrome Apps page, click on the Secure Shell icon.



The Secure Shell program will open inside of Chrome. Enter your SSH credentials in the prompt and hit Enter to connect.



You will be prompted for your login credentials so have them handy.

Conclusion

That is it. You can use any of the 3 alternatives for HyperTerminal described above. I haven't tested this yet, but I believe all three methods work in Windows 8 as well. So let me know in the comments and if you have any other free ways to SSH.