How to Install Microsoft Certificate Services

Certificate Services allow websites to issue and revoke digital certificates. The certificates are used to authenticate the identity of the website. The service runs on a certificate server and can be installed on a computer through the Windows Control Panel. Certificate Services cannot be installed on Windows XP, Pro or Home. It's designed for Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000. When installing Certificate Services, a certificate folder is created that the service uses to store certificates and files.

Instructions

1. Click on the "Start" button, then choose "Control Panel." Choose "Add/Remove Programs." Click the "Add/Remove Windows Components" button.

2. Place a check mark in the "Certificate Services" check box. Choose "Next." Click "Yes" to confirm you cannot change the name of the machine or the machine's domain membership.

3. Click "Yes" to continue, then "Next" on the "Windows Components" page. Under CA type, place a check mark next to "Enterprise Root CA." Click "Next."

4. Enter your certificate authority's (CA) name in the name text box. This will be your host name for your domain controller. Click "Next." This will bring you to the "Certificate Database Services" page. Keep the default names for the "Certificate Database" locations. Choose "Next."

5. Click "Yes" in the "Microsoft Certificate Services" dialog box to restart Internet Information Services. Choose "Next." Click "OK" in the "Insert Disk" dialog box. Choose "Finish" in the "Completing Windows Components" wizard page. Close the "Add/Remove" window to complete the process.

References

• Microsoft Certificate Services TechNet