How to Export an SSL Certificate to a PFX File
Exporting an SSL certificate to a .pfx file allows you to migrate the certificate to another server or keep a secure backup. A PFX file includes both the certificate and its private key.
Supported platforms
- Windows Server 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2022
- IIS 8 and later
Before you begin
- You must have administrator access to the server.
- The SSL certificate must be installed with its private key.
Export the SSL certificate using IIS
- Log in to the server and open IIS Manager.
- Click the server name in the left-hand panel.
- Double-click Server Certificates.
- Locate the SSL certificate you want to export.
- Click the certificate, then select Export from the Actions panel.
- Choose a secure location to save the .pfx file.
- Enter a strong password to protect the file.
- Click OK to complete the export.
Tip: Store the PFX file and password securely. Anyone with access to both can use the certificate.
Verify the PFX file
After exporting, confirm the file exists and has a non-zero file size. You can import it on another server using IIS or the Certificates MMC.
Important: If the export option is unavailable, the private key may not be present. In that case, the certificate cannot be exported and must be reissued.