DOCUMENT:Q232154 24-FEB-2002 [iis] TITLE :IIS: Export Private Key Opt Gray Exporting Server Certificate PRODUCT :Internet Information Server PROD/VER::5.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbIIS kbiis500 ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Internet Information Services version 5.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== Using the Certificates snap-in in Windows 2000, you can do many tasks regarding certificates and certificate management. One of these tasks is exporting server certificates for use in an Internet Information Services 5.0 web server. In order for a server certificate to be used by the web server, you must export the private key along with the certificate. Without the private key, data encryption (and therefore secure communications) is not possible. When exporting the server certificate from the server's personal certificate store, you may not have the option to export the private key. If this is the case, when the certificate was imported, the option to allow the private key to be exported may have been unchecked. This is a security measure to prevent a possible compromise of the server's private key. Since this could be a potential security risk, the option to mark the private key as exportable is not checked by default. RESOLUTION ========== In order to correct this problem, you will need access to the original certificate backup (.pfx) file. To ensure this problem does not happen in the future (should you want to export the private key again) make sure during the import process that you select the box "mark the private key as exportable." MORE INFORMATION ================ For additional information about importing server certificates, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q232137 HOW TO: Import a Server Certificate in Internet Information Services 5.0 For additional information about exporting (backing up) server certificates, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Q232136 HOW TO: Back Up a Server Certificate in Internet Information Services 5.0 Additional query words: iis ====================================================================== Keywords : kbIIS kbiis500 Technology : kbiisSearch kbiis500 Version : :5.0 Issue type : kbprb Solution Type : kbpending ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.