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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

 Move Or Copy SSL From One Windows Server to AnotherSometimes, 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:

  1. Exporting the Certificate
  2. Importing the Certificate
  3. 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
run-mmc-window
Click on File and go to Add/Remove Snap-in…
add-remove-snap-in-image
Select Certificates and then click ADD>.
certificates-add-option-screen
Now click on Computer Account and hit Next button.
choose-computer-account
Make sure the Local Computer option has been selected already. If not, select it.
choose-local-computer
  • 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.
choose-personal-certificates-image
Double-click the certificate and check if the Private Key is there. You won’t be able to move ahead without the Private Key.
export-the-private-key-image
  • Hit the Okay button if it’s there.
  • Now, right-click on the certificate and go to All Tasks >> Export…
choose-personal-certificates-image
Click Next.
certificate-export-wizard
Select the Yes, export the private key and hit Next.
private-key-img
Select Include all certificates in the certification path if possible and hit Next.
include-certificate-in-certificate-path
Now enter the password (you’ll need this later).
enter-password-img
Now browse or enter the proper path of the certificate file and press Next.
save-pfx-file
Click Finish.
hit-finish-button-certificate-import-wizard
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.
run-mmc-window
Click on File and go to Add/Remove Snap-in…
Add-Remove-Snap-in-image
Select Certificates and then click ADD> Button.
certificates-add-option-screen
Now click on Computer Account and hit Next.
choose-local-computer
Make sure the Local Computer option has been selected already. If not, select it.
choose-local-computer
  • Click on Finish and press OK.
  • Now go back to the Console and expand Certificates (Local Computer) >> Personal >> Certificates.
choose-personal-certificates-image
Right-click on the certificate and go to All Tasks >> Import…
import-image
Click Next.
certificate-export-wizard-img
  • 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)”.

 

open-pfx-file
Enter the password you entered while exporting the certificate file.
enter-password-img
Select the Automatically select the certificate store based on the type of certificate and press Next.
select-the-certificate-store
Hit Finish.
hit-finish-button-certificate-import-wizard
Now hit the Refresh button in the console.
refresh-console-img
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!

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