Move or Copy SSL Certificate from One Windows Server to Another
Now you can easily move or Copy SSL Certificate from One Windows Server to Another Windows Server
Sometimes, you have to move or copy SSL certificate from one Windows server to another. Whether you want to switch your hosting provider, or add another server, or maintain proper load balancer environment, you’ll need to transfer your SSL certificate. This blog will help you at every step so that you can easily move or copy SSL from one windows server to another.
Basically, the entire process can be divided into three crucial steps (assuming that you have SSL installed on your original server). These steps are:
- Exporting the Certificate
- Importing the Certificate
- Assigning the SSL Certificate
Before getting on with the process, make sure that you have the .pfx file and private key. You won’t be able to move the certificate without these two.
Note: Click here if you have forgotten how to install an SSL certificate on Windows server.
Follow the below-mentioned steps to move or copy SSL certificate from one Windows server to another.
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Exporting the certificate from Windows MMC console
- Open Run from the Start Menu.
- Type mmc and press OK
Click on File and go to Add/Remove Snap-in…
Select Certificates and then click ADD>.
Now click on Computer Account and hit Next button.
Make sure the Local Computer option has been selected already. If not, select it.
- Click on Finish and press OK.
- Now go back to the Console and expand Certificates (Local Computer) >> Personal >> Certificates. You should now see the certificate you want to move.
Double-click the certificate and check if the Private Key is there. You won’t be able to move ahead without the Private Key.
- Hit the Okay button if it’s there.
- Now, right-click on the certificate and go to All Tasks >> Export…
Click Next.
Select the Yes, export the private key and hit Next.
Select Include all certificates in the certification path if possible and hit Next.
Now enter the password (you’ll need this later).
Now browse or enter the proper path of the certificate file and press Next.
Click Finish.
Now you can close the MMC Console.
Importing the certificate to new Windows server
- First, you must copy the .pfx file to a suitable location on the new machine.
- Open Run from the Start Menu.
- Type mmc and press OK.
Click on File and go to Add/Remove Snap-in…
Select Certificates and then click ADD> Button.
Now click on Computer Account and hit Next.
Make sure the Local Computer option has been selected already. If not, select it.
- Click on Finish and press OK.
- Now go back to the Console and expand Certificates (Local Computer) >> Personal >> Certificates.
Right-click on the certificate and go to All Tasks >> Import…
Click Next.
- Now browse or enter the proper path of the certificate file and press Next.
- Click the Browse button to select the .pfx file you copied. If it doesn’t appear, change the file type from “X.509…” to “Personal Information Exchange (*.pfx, *.p12)”.
Enter the password you entered while exporting the certificate file.
Select the Automatically select the certificate store based on the type of certificate and press Next.
Hit Finish.
Now hit the Refresh button in the console.
Close the MMC.
Assigning the Certificate
Once you have finished importing the SSL certificate on your new Windows server, you now need to assign it on you’re the new server.
Here’s how to do it:
- Open IIS manager from the Start
- Right-click the website on which you want to deploy certificate. Click Properties.
- Now Assign an existing certificate and press Next.
- Select the new certificate you just imported and hit Next.
- Restart the IIS.
Now your mission to move or copy SSL certificate from one Windows server to another is done and dusted.
Well done!