To install an Exchange 2016 SSL certificate the process is:
- Generate a certificate signing request (CSR)
- Submit the CSR to a certificate authority, such as Digicert, and download the issued certificate
- Complete the pending SSL certificate request in Exchange
- Assign the certificate to Exchange services
In this tutorial we'll look at step 3, completing the pending SSL certificate request.
The certificate has already been downloaded and placed in a location that is accessible by the Exchange server's computer account, or by the Exchange Trusted Subsystem group. You will need to provide the UNC path to the file when completing the pending certificate request. I've placed my certificate in the C:Admin folder of my Exchange server.
In the Exchange Admin Center navigate to servers, then certificates. Choose the Exchange server you need to complete the pending certificate request for, and selecting the pending request. Click the Complete link on the right side of the page.
Enter the UNC path to the certificate file and click OK.
If the import is successful the certificate should now appear with a status of “Valid”.
The next step is to assign or enable the certificate for Exchange services.
Paul is a Microsoft MVP for Office Apps and Services and a Pluralsight author. He works as a consultant, writer, and trainer specializing in Office 365 and Exchange Server.
MP says
December 13, 2015 at 6:23 amFantastic job, well done!
Austin Amuok says
March 10, 2016 at 2:04 amGreat article. Thanks for your assistance!
Brodie says
October 4, 2017 at 10:04 amAwesome Article.
I was having an “issue” where the EAC was telling me “The source data is corrupted or not properly Base64 encoded.” and I was looking though the comments of your 2013 article.
You replied to a comment saying the EAC displays incorrect information sometimes.
I wanted to leave this here in case someone has the same issue as it helped me solve my non issue.
Shane King says
March 6, 2018 at 9:59 amHI Paul,
As usual yours is the best advice.
How do I rekey a cert for Exchange 2016. I tried searching the web for specifics but could not find a thing. Is it as simple as creating a new cert and following the process. Is there a best practice we should follow when a cert request process goes pear-shaped and we need to re do it again?
Paul Cunningham says
March 7, 2018 at 6:06 amIf you’re re-keying check with your certificate provider as they should have specific instructions for you.