Renew Certificate in Internet Information Services (IIS) 5 & 6

Dec 11, 2025

Renew Certificate in Internet Information Services (IIS) 5 & 6

Guidelines

1. Open the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager. From the Start button select Programs > Administrative Tools > Internet Information Services Manager. 
2. You will need to create a temporary "dummy site" in IIS. Right-click on the main server node (local computer) and select New > Web Site. Create the new site without worrying too much about the details; this site is only temporary and will be deleted. 
3. Generate a CSR for the new temporary site you have just created. Remember, the Common Name in the new CSR must be the same as your real site. 
4. Once you have a CSR for the dummy site you can place a renewal order using that CSR.
5. A certificate will be issued and emailed to you. Copy the certificate into a text editor and save it as "yourdomain.cer" on your desktop.
6. In the Directory Security tab on your dummy site click Server Certificate. Select Process the Pending Request and Install the Certificate. Click Next.
7. Locate the "yourdomain.cer" file when prompted to locate your web server certificate. Click Next.
8. On the confirmation screen click Next and then Finish. The certificate has now been installed on the dummy site. It must now be transferred to the real site. 
9. Right-click on your real web site. Click Properties.
10. In the Directory Security tab click Server Certificate. 
11. Click Next in the Welcome to the Web Server Certificate Wizard window. 
12. Select Replace the Current Certificate. Click Next. 
13. Select the new certificate from your dummy list from the list of installed certificates when prompted.
14. Review the confirmation screen to ensure that you are processing the correct certificate. View the expiration date to easily identify which certificate you have selected. Click Next.
15. On the confirmation screen click Next and then Finish. Your old certificate has now been replaced with the new certificate from the dummy site. 
16. The dummy site may now be deleted.