How to Move RapidSSL Certificate a Windows Server to Another Windows Server

Assuming that by now we know the importance of SSL certificate and RapidSSL in our online world is. We move ahead to explain the steps and procedures on how we can move the RapidSSL certificate in our windows server. It would be better to take a quick brief on the SSL certificates and their importance so that you can connect well to the further read:

An SSL Certificate is a digital signature that protects the flow of your personal and business website data, through a creating a secure bridge between end user browser and server. SSL Certificate is a public cryptographic key that is issued by Certificate Authority – CA. These certificates give a trust level to your website assuring your customers that you and your data are safe. Many kinds of SSL certificates are used as per the business and enterprise. The process of installing SSL is not difficult, one needs to follow certain step guide and you are there!

An overview about transferring RapidSSL Certificate in the Windows servers

RapidSSL certificates offer enhanced security and strong encryption to your website and boost good rankings as well by building a strong online presence. Often they come cheap from other CA –
Certificate Authorities. Thus it becomes beneficial for you to install an SSL certificate for your domain or wildcard certificate for subdomains security from RapidSSL. RapidSSL is subsidiary company of GeoTrust and well-known brand in the industry and you should buy or renew these certificates for cheaper price web security solution.

When you installed a RapidSSL certificate on window server this makes easy to transfer SSL certificate on another window server. When you transfer SSL certificates between windows servers for the one website it can be a simple process. But when your transfers include multiple different sites it can be a daunting task. Here you need to re-issued or buy a RapidSSL certificate for efficient and safe transferring.

Understanding the transferring process of RapidSSL certificate from one window server to another

If you have many windows servers for different sub-domains that use one same RapidSSL Wildcard certificate, then in such situation you should apply same certificate on your all window servers.

This article will give you step by step process and instructions so that you get all under one roof. Once we start the explanation of process, we will assume that you already have a pre-installed or purchased RapidSSL certificate or Wildcard certificate on one Windows server.

These steps will help you move or copy the certificate that is in working condition, to an all new server:

1. First, execute the export of RapidSSL certificate from the window server with the help of a private key and also any other transitional certificate into a .pfx file.
2. Now start importing the certificate and the private key onto the new window server.
3. This step is important as here you need to configure your website to use the SSL certificates in IIS.

Please note that on a Windows server where you will first export the RapidSSL certificate from the MMC console to a .pfx file will always be using a private key. Further, you just need to copy the .pfx file to the new Windows server and start importing.

Check out the step-by-step procedure now:

Step 1: has many sub steps that need to follow appropriately:

• Run – then type MMC and click OK button – now Go to File Tab and select Add/Remove Snap-in

• Now Click on the Certificates tab and click Add button – here click on Select Computer Account and then on Next, button – Now you will have to select Local Computer > Click Finish

• Once you are done till now Click OK to close the Add/Remove Snap-in window and then Double click on the Certificates (Local Computer) in the left window section – It’s time to click on the Personal folder button and go to the Certificates section.

• Now right Click on the Certificate you would wish to take backup-off and choose ALL TASKS section and then Export – Here you will have to follow the Certificate Export Wizard to execute your backup effectively to a .pfx file. – Next click on Choose to Yes and export the private key.

• Please note that by mistake you should not delete the Private key option.

• Next step is to choose to take account of all the certificates in certificate path if possible – No the most important step is to enter a strong password that you will have to remember for further work.

• Now save the file on a set location and Click Finish

Step 2 is about importing the certificate (.pfx) file using Windows server console such as – Microsoft Management Console (MMC) via Snap-in for managing certificates section. Here too there are few sub-steps have a look:

• Via snap-in open section, double click on the “Certificates” – Now with a right click you go to Personal Certificates Store (folder) – Now to ALL TASKS and then Import.

• By following the Certificate Import Wizard you will import your .pfx file. Here it is possible that you will have to browse for .pfx file. – Now enter the password that was set at the time of exporting the certificate – lastly you will be prompted to choose automatically the location of RapidSSL certificates.

• Click Finish – you are done with the SSL certificate wizard

Step 3 This step binds the RapidSSL certificate to the website and to your windows server

Click to the Start button then go to Administrative Tools, and now to Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager. From here browse your server name – website name – Sites – your SSL certificate based website. All this in the action pane and now click Bindings…

Step 4 takes us to site Bindings window. Here if you do not have HTTPS bindings then click to ADD to change from HTTP to HTTPS. Please note if you have HTTPS then just click Edit. Now from the RapidSSL or SSL Certificate drop-down menu come and select a good and easy name for the SSL certificate that later will be used by your server and your site. Last, is click OK.

Step 5 is the last stage to verify SSL certificate installation. You should use SSL installation checker tool to confirm you’re your certificate is installed correctly, it will also help to diagnose troubleshoots.

Please note that in some situations you may have to stop and start the window server before you do any testing or upload. Also see, that in some situations the changes may not occur after restarting the IIS Services, therefore a re-boot becomes mandatory.