How to Setup SSL Certificate on IIS Using PowerShell?

Configure SSL Certificate on IIS with PowerShell

Configuring an SSL certificates on IIS using PowerShell can help secure your websites and applications. Setup SSL Certificate on IIS Using PowerShell can be accomplished by using the powerful command-line interface of PowerShell to automate IIS configuration and deployment. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encrypts communication between the server and clients to prevent eavesdropping and tampering. With a few PowerShell commands, you can create self-signed certificates, import trusted certificates, bind certificates to sites, and more.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of setting up SSL on IIS using PowerShell on Windows Server.

Key Takeaways

Prerequisites Before Configuring an SSL Certificate on IIS using PowerShell

Before you can set up SSL certificates on IIS using PowerShell, you need:

5 Easy Steps to Setup SSL Certificate on IIS Using PowerShell

Follow this simple steps to setup SSL certificate on IIS with PowerShell:

Step 1 – Import the SSL Certificate into the Local Computer Store

The first step is to import your SSL certificate’s .pfx file into the local machine’s certificate store. This makes it available to bind to IIS sites and applications.

Use the Import-PfxCertificate cmdlet specifying the file path and password:

Import-PfxCertificate -FilePath C:\certificates\my-certificate.pfx -CertStoreLocation Cert:\LocalMachine\My -Password (ConvertTo-SecureString -String "pwd123" -Force -AsPlainText)

Where:

This will install the certificate into the computer’s Personal store under Certificates (Local Computer).

You can validate it imported correctly using Get-ChildItem:

Get-ChildItem Cert:\LocalMachine\My

Now, your SSL certificate is installed and ready to bind to IIS sites and applications.

Step 2: Create a Self-Signed Certificate for Testing

For testing purposes, you can easily create a self-signed SSL certificate in PowerShell using New-SelfSignedCertificate.

Note: Clients and browsers will not trust self-signed certificates. Only use them for development/testing.

Here’s an example command to generate a self-signed cert valid for 365 days:

New-SelfSignedCertificate -DnsName "testcert" -CertStoreLocation "Cert:\LocalMachine\My" -KeyExportPolicy Exportable -Provider "Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES Cryptographic Provider" -CertValidFor 365

This creates a certificate with the subject name testcert in the My store for the local machine.

You can view it by running Get-ChildItem again:

PS C:\> Get-ChildItem Cert:\LocalMachine\My
Thumbprint                                    Subject
1919e42212248840f630203a258b57bcd4a42212      CN=testcert

The certificate will be valid for 365 days from creation. The subject name will show the DnsName specified.

Some key parameters for New-SelfSignedCertificate:

Now, your self-signed test certificate is created and ready to use. You can bind it to sites in IIS to test HTTPS workflows before getting a trusted commercial certificate.

Next, we will cover binding this certificate to a website in IIS.

Step 3: Bind the SSL Certificate to an IIS Site

Once you have imported the certificate into the local machine store, you can bind it to websites, applications, and virtual directories in IIS.

Let’s bind it to a site called “MySite” using the New-IISSiteBinding cmdlet:

New-IISSiteBinding -Name "MySite" -IP "*" -Port 443 -Protocol "https" -CertificateThumbPrint "E661583E8FABEF4C0BEF694CBC41C28FB81CD870"

Where:

This will create an HTTPS binding for the site using the specified certificate.

You can also bind certificates to sites using Set-IISServerManager:

Set-IISServerManager -Name "MySite" -BindingInformation "*:443:www.example.com" -Protocol "https" -CertificateHash "E661583E8FABEF4C0BEF694CBC41C28FB81CD870"

The process is the same for binding certificates to applications and virtual directories.

Step 4: Enable SSL for Websites in IIS

Once your certificate is bound to the site, you need to enable SSL in IIS. This can be done at the server level or per site.

To enable it for all sites at the server level:

Set-IISCentralCertProvider -EnableCentralSSL

For individual sites:

Set-IISSite -Name "MySite" -BindingInformation "*:443:www.example.com" -Protocol "https" -IPAddress "*" -HostHeader "www.example.com" -EnableSSL

This will make the site only accessible over HTTPS.

You can also enable SSL when creating new sites in PowerShell using New-IISSite with the -EnableSSL parameter.

Step 5: Manage Certificate Renewals

SSL certificates need to be renewed periodically before they expire.

The renewal process involves getting a new certificate file from your CA and importing it to replace the expiring cert.

Follow these steps:

Common PowerShell Commands for IIS SSL Certificates

Here are some other useful PowerShell commands for working with SSL certificates in IIS:

Troubleshooting Common SSL Certificate Issues

Here are some common issues when setting up SSL certificates in IIS with PowerShell:

Final Thoughts

Configuring SSL certificates in IIS securely encrypts communication and data for websites and applications. PowerShell provides an efficient way to automate the deployment and management of SSL certificates.

Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can import trusted certificates, create and bind to sites, enable HTTPS, and seamlessly renew certificates.

PowerShell lets you manage SSL certificates across multiple IIS servers through reusable scripts. This enhances security and simplifies automation for applications and services using IIS.

The key is having the right SSL certificates from trusted CAs, importing them securely, and properly binding them to sites and apps in IIS. To ensure certificates never expire, automate routine tasks like renewals with PowerShell.

With the power of PowerShell, you can easily set up robust SSL implementations on Windows IIS to meet security and compliance requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about setting up SSL certificates on IIS using PowerShell:

What are the benefits of using PowerShell for SSL certificates?

PowerShell makes it easy to automate SSL certificate deployment, binding, and management on IIS. Scripts rather than manual configuration allow you to manage multiple servers and sites.

Is it better to install certificates per site or globally?

Installing globally at the IIS server level allows sharing across sites. However, installing per site gives more granular control and separation. Choose based on your needs.

How do I create a CSR and purchase an SSL cert for IIS?

Use the New-SelfSignedCertificate cmdlet to generate a CSR. To purchase the certificate, submit it to a trusted CA like DigiCert. Then, import this commercial certificate into IIS.

Can I use one SSL certificate across multiple domains?

Yes, you need a multi-domain (SAN) certificate. This will allow you to bind the cert to multiple IIS sites with different domains.

How can I troubleshoot SSL certificate problems in IIS?

Check for errors during import, verify the binding, ensure SSL is enabled, validate intermediate and root CA certs, and test renewal before expiration.

Is there a way to automate SSL certificate renewal?

Yes, you can script the renewal process in PowerShell, including importing new certificates and rebinding. You can also use automation tools like DSC or Ansible playbooks.

What permissions do I need to manage SSL certificates in IIS?

You need admin access to the server for IIS configuration changes, and local administrator or user access to the certificate store is required.

Priya Mervana

Verified Web Security Experts

Priya Mervana is working at SSLInsights.com as a web security expert with over 10 years of experience writing about encryption, SSL certificates, and online privacy. She aims to make complex security topics easily understandable for everyday internet users.