Introduction
How can I configure an SSL Certificate on IIS Web Server?. SSL Certificates are small data files that digitally bind a cryptographic key to an organization’s details. When installed on a web server, it activates the padlock and the https protocol and allows secure connections from a web server to a browser (GlobalSign).
In this guide, we are going to install an SSL Certificate from Digicert to IIS Windows Web server. After you have bought your wildcard or any other SSL Certificate, the next step is to use it on your web server such as IIS for windows. Place your SSL Files (Security Certificate (.crt), KEY File (.key) and PEM File (.pem)) in favorable location and let us begin.
Step 1: Add the Certificate to MMC
Hit Windows key and search for “Run” app or you can just use a combination of Windows + R to open the same “Run” app. It will appear at the bottom left corner of your screen. Once the App is open, type in “MMC” and hit enter. This will open the MMC Console.
Step 2: Add a certificate to MMC
On the new MMC Console window that looks like the one shown below:
Click on File then Add/Remove Snap-In.
A new window will pop up titled Add or “Add/Remove Snap-ins“.
On this Window, click on Certificates then Add as shown above. A new window will pop up again titled “Certificates Snap-In” as shown below.
While in that Window, click on Computer Account radio button and click on Next. On the window titled “Select Computer“, choose “Local Computer” radio and hit “Finish“.
Click on “OK” to close the Add or Remove Snap-Ins Window.
Step 3: Import the Certificates
You should be having the Console Window as shown below with added Certificates part.
Click on the certificates drop-down which will expand other items.
Click on the Personal drop-down. Certificates will appear below it. Right-click on Certificates, expand “All Tasks” and click on “Import…“.
This will open the “Certificate Import Wizard” pop-up window as illustrated.
Step 4: Locate where your SSL Certificates are
On the “Certificate Import Wizard” as shown above, click on “Browse” and browse for your SSL files. It should auto-detect any .crt or .cer file extensions in your sources folder.
Once you find it, select and click “Open” to import the SSL Certificate. Once you are done, you should be able to see the SSL Certificate when you click on Certificates on the Console Window as shown below. On the middle section of the window, you can see the title “Issued To”, “Issued By”, “Expiration Date”, “Intended Purpose”, “Friendly Name” and others. Take note of your Certificate’s Friendly Name.
Step 5: Add Certificate to IIS
Once your Certificates are intact, it is time to install them on your IIS Windows Web server. As always, let us look for IIS and get started. Hit your Windows Key and Search for IIS Manager
Once IIS is open head over to your the site you would wish to install the certificates. I am going to use the Default Site for this demonstration as shown. Click on it and click on Bindings on the right-hand side as highlighted.
This action will open a new Window titled Site Bindings. Hit on Edit and a new window will pop up titled “Edit Site Bindings“.
On the “Edit Site Bindings” above, make sure you choose the IP Address of your server and your preferred port. I use IP 192.168.10.80 and port 443 as illustrated above. You can as well place a Hostname. On the SSL Certificate area, click on the drop-down arrow and check whether the friendly name of your SSL Certificate you noted in Step 4 is available. If it is, then just select it. After you are done, click “OK“
Step 6: Restart IIS Server
The last step is to just restart your IIS Site. To do this, head over to your IIS Manager Window and Click on Restart under Manager Website Section
And that is all. You can head over to you browser and key in your server URL and check whether your SSL Certificate was successfully installed. Thank you for following through guys.
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