How to Install a GoDaddy SSL Certificate on IIS (Versions 7-10)

Securing your website with an SSL certificate is essential for protecting data transmission and enhancing user trust. While GoDaddy provides comprehensive guides for installing SSL certificates on IIS servers, some users encounter issues where the certificate disappears after following the standard steps. This guide offers an alternative method to manually install your GoDaddy SSL certificate on IIS versions 7, 8, 9, and 10, ensuring a smooth and successful installation.

When to Use This Guide

Use this guide if you’ve followed GoDaddy’s official instructions for manually installing an SSL certificate on your IIS server (GoDaddy Manual Installation Guide) for IIS versions 7 through 10, and you find that the certificate disappears or fails to install correctly. This step-by-step approach addresses common pitfalls and ensures your SSL certificate is properly configured.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in IIS

1. Open IIS Manager:
   • Launch the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager on your server.
2. Navigate to Server Certificates:
   • In the Connections pane, select your server name.
   • Double-click on Server Certificates in the IIS section.
3. Create a Certificate Request:
   • In the Actions pane on the right, click Create Certificate Request.
   • Fill out the Distinguished Name Properties with your information:
     • Common Name: Your domain name (e.g., www.example.com).
     • Organization: Your company’s legal name.
     • Organizational Unit: Your department (e.g., IT).
     • City/Locality: Your city.
     • State/Province: Your state.
     • Country/Region: Your country.
4. Set Cryptographic Options:
   • Cryptographic Service Provider: Select Microsoft RSA SChannel Cryptographic Provider.
   • Bit Length: Ensure you select 2048 or higher for security compliance.
   • Click Next.
5. Save the CSR File:
   • Specify a file name and location to save the CSR file (e.g., C:\CSR\mydomain.csr).
   • Click Finish.

2. Review and Copy the CSR Content

1. Open the CSR File:
   • Navigate to the location where you saved the CSR file.
   • Open the file using a text editor like Notepad.
2. Copy the CSR Contents:
   • Select all the text within the file and copy it.
   Example of CSR Contents:
   -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST----- MIIC2DCCAcACAQAwgYAxCzAJBgNVBAYTAlVTMQswCQYDVQQIDAJDQTESMBAGA1UE BwwJQmVya2VsZXkxFDASBgNVBAoMC0V4YW1wbGUgQ28uMRQwEgYDVQQLDAtJVCBE ZXBhcnRtZW50MRYwFAYDVQQDDA13d3cuZXhhbXBsZS5jb20xHTAbBgkqhkiG9w0B CQEWDmFkbWluQGV4YW1wbGUuY29tMIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIB CgKCAQEArf1v5p3cYrJZkW2YwP9p3m1uH1jH+gVzKQ1nO8oK/3x3XzY2x2MjQ1aA ...
-----END CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----

3. Submit the CSR to GoDaddy

1. Log in to GoDaddy Account:
   • Access your GoDaddy account and navigate to the SSL Certificates section.
2. Rekey Your Certificate:
   • Select the certificate you wish to install and choose the Rekey Certificate option.
3. Paste the CSR:
   • In the rekey tool, paste the copied CSR content into the designated box.
4. Initiate the Rekey Process:
   • Click Add Change (do not click Submit All Changes yet).
5. Finalize the Rekey:
   • After adding the change, click Submit All Changes to proceed.
6. Wait for Confirmation:
   • Allow a few minutes for GoDaddy to process the rekey request. Refresh the page to ensure the status is updated.

4. Download the SSL Certificate

1. Select Server Type:
   • In the SSL management area, choose IIS as your server type.
2. Download the Certificate Files:
   • Click Download Zip File to obtain the necessary certificate files.
3. Save and Extract:
   • Save the downloaded ZIP file to a secure location on your server.
   • Extract the contents of the ZIP file to access the .crt file.

5. Complete the Certificate Request in IIS

1. Return to IIS Manager:
   • Open the Server Certificates section as before.
2. Complete the Certificate Request:
   • In the Actions pane, click Complete Certificate Request.
3. Select the Certificate File:
   • Browse to the extracted .crt file from the ZIP archive.
4. Assign a Friendly Name:
   • Enter a friendly name for the certificate (e.g., MyExampleSSL).
5. Finalize the Installation:
   • Click OK to complete the certificate installation.

6. Bind the SSL Certificate to Your Website

1. Navigate to Your Website:
   • In IIS Manager, expand the Sites node and select the website you wish to secure.
2. Edit Bindings:
   • In the Actions pane, click Bindings.
3. Add HTTPS Binding:
   • Click Add, select https as the type, and choose the installed SSL certificate from the dropdown menu.
4. Apply and Save:
   • Click OK to add the binding, then Close the Site Bindings window.

Conclusion

Installing a GoDaddy SSL certificate on IIS servers (versions 7-10) can sometimes present challenges, such as the certificate disappearing after installation. By following this manual installation guide, you ensure that each step is meticulously handled, from generating a strong CSR to binding the certificate to your website. Proper SSL installation not only secures your website but also fosters trust among your visitors. If you encounter any issues during the process, consider reaching out to GoDaddy’s support for further assistance.