TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Step 1: Open Microsoft Management Console
• Step 2: Create the Certificate
• Step 3: Export the Certificate
• Step 4: Install the Certificate
  
  

Using HTTPS for production websites relies on trusted public key certificates that are issued by certificate authorities (CA). Using HTTPS to connect to a website running in IIS Express will fail when the certificate has expired or has been improperly installed.

Generally, the root certificates for SSL should already be pre-installed on a Windows machine. So, a manual root certificate import may only be needed if the root certificate was removed intentionally. This document will provide step-by-step instructions on how to install SSL certificates manually.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Management Console

• Right-click on ‘Start’ and select “Run” (or press ctrl + R)

• Type in ‘MMC’ and click “OK”

• On the User Account Control screen click “Yes”

• The following screen should be displayed

Step 2: Create the Certificate

• Click “File” and select “Add/Remove Snap-in”

• In the left menu select “Certificates” and click “Add”

• On the next screen click the radio button next to “Computer account” and click “Next”

• Click “Finish” and you should be returned to the “Add or Remove Snap-ins” screen. Click “OK” to visit “MMC”

Step 3: Export the Certificate

• In the Microsoft Management Console window go to Certificates by expanding “Certificates (Local Computer)” >> “Trusted Root Certification Authority” >> “Certificates”

• Right-click on “localhost” and navigate to “All Tasks” >> “Export”

• Inside the “Certificate Export Wizard”, keep the default settings and click “Next” until you have to select the export path. Select a location to save the certificate that will be used in Step 4. Click “Next”.

• Click “Finish” and close the “MMC” without saving console settings.

Step 4: Install the Certificate

• You should see a Security Certificate file (.cer) in the location provided in Step 3. Open it and click “Install Certificate”

• Select “Local Machine” and click “Next”

• Select “Automatically select the certificate based on the type of certificate” (default setting) and click “Next”

• Click “Finished”

• A message showing that the import was successful will now be visible. The SSL certificate is now installed.

• Restart the browser and open the site again. The connection should be secured.

• In case the connection is still showing insecure, open the site in incognito mode or clear the cache of the browser.