Self-Signed Certificate (MakeCert)

Export the PFX File

If you created the self-signed SSL certificate on your local computer or any other computer but not the one where the ERP Web service is installed, then you need to export the .pfx file to be able to import it on the server running the ERP Web service.

The .pfx file contains the public key files (your SSL certificate files) and the associated private key file (generated by your computer as part of the CSR).

Since both the public and private keys are needed for the SSL certificate to function, you need the .pfx backup to transfer SSL server security certificates from one server to another.

To export the certificate:

Step 1: Start the Certificates snap-in for the MMC. In the Start menu click 'Run' and then type 'mmc'.

Step 2: Click: File > Add/Remove Snap-in.

Step 3: Select the 'Certificates' snap-in from the 'Available snap-ins' column and click 'Add'.

Step 4: In the 'Certificates snap-in' window select 'Computer account' and click 'Next'.

Step 5: In the 'Select Computer' window select 'Local computer' and click 'Finish' and then 'OK'.

Step 6: In the left pane of the MMC expand: Certificates (Local Computer) > Personal > Certificates.

Step 7: Right-click on the certificate you want to back up and select: All Tasks > Export.

Step 8: Choose 'Yes, export the private key' and 'Include all certificates in certificate path if possible'.
Do not select the option 'Delete private key if the export is successful'.

Step 9: Enter the private key password and save the certificate.