Install SSL Certificate in local Computer or Server

Kailash Chandra Behera | Thursday, September 19, 2019

Introduction

This article provides guidelines to install SSL certificate in local computer OR server to make secure connection between server and client.

Getting Started

The Secure Socket Layer certificate called SSL certificate is a digital certificate which provides secure connection between server and client over internet. SSL certificates have a key pair(a public and a private key). These keys work together to establish an encrypted connection between server and client. The certificate also contains what is called the “subject,” which is the identity of the certificate/website owner.

To install an SSL certificate in a local computer or server you need console root (MMC) of Microsoft which resides with your OS. Microsoft Management Console(MMC) enables system administrators to create special tools to delegate specific administrative tasks to users or groups. Microsoft provides standard tools with the operating system that performs everyday administrative tasks that users need to accomplish.

Follow the below steps to install an SSL certificate in your local computer or server.

Step-1

Open windows run and type mmc then press OK button, console root window will open.

Step-2

Go to file menu, open it and click on Add/Remove Snap-in sub menu

Step-3

Add or remove snap ins  window will open, select the item named Certificates from the available snaps list that resides left side of window. Press Add button

Step-4

Certificate snap window will open, select radio button 'Computer account' then press next button.

Step-5

Select computer window will open, select another computer if you want install in another in your network, here in the we are going to install certificate in local computer, hence i have selected local computer option. Then press finish button.

Step-6

Press the OK button of Add or Remove snap-ins window.

Step-7

Certificate option will be displayed under Console root item, expand the certificate item. Again expand the optional item, write click on the certificates sub-item=>All Task=> click on the import sub-menu.

Step-8

  1. Certificate import wizard window will open,click next button.
  2. Then browse your SSL certificate from you local drive and click next button.
  3. Select the option 'place all certificates in the following store'. , Press Next button
  4. Certificate import wizard now completed click on the finish button.
  5. Success message window will be opened and after clicking on the OK button the certificates you have installed will be display console root.

Step-9

The step-8 completes the certificates import or install in the personal storage, again we have to import SSL certificates in the Trusted Root Certification Authorities. Hence like Personal storage, expand the Trusted Root Certification Authorities and follow the sub steps of Step-8.

Step-10

The final step is to restart the computer. The certificate will not be used in every request until you restart the machine.

Summary

The above details are the successful steps to install or import SSL certificates in the console root that helps us to secure connection between the server and client application over the internet. Remember you have to import in both Personal and Trusted Root Certification Authorities storage.

Thanks