Create a Self-Signed Server Certificate in IIS 7


Create a self-signed certificate for a local computer for one or more of the following reasons:

  • Troubleshooting third-party certificate problems.

  • Managing IIS remotely.

  • Creating a secure private channel between your server and a limited, known group of users, such as that in a software test environment.

  • Testing features that rely on SSL settings.


This procedure generates a self-signed certificate that does not originate from a generally trusted source; therefore, you should not use this certificate to help secure data transfers between Internet clients and your server.


Self-signed certificates may cause your Web browser to issue phishing warnings.



Exceptions to Feature Requirements

  • None

To create a self-signed certificate


User Interface

To use the UI


  2. In Features view, double-click Server Certificates.

  3. In the Actions pane, click Create Self-Signed Certificate.

  4. On the Create Self-Signed Certificate page, type a friendly name for the certificate in the Specify a friendly name for the certificate box, and then click OK.

Command Line






  • None


See Also


Configuring Server Certificates in IIS 7