Wednesday 10 October 2012

Self issued security certificate has expired, Windows SBS 2008

What:

Windows Small Business Server 2008

Problem:

Logged Warning Event ID: 64, certificate is about to expire.
Finally users are getting Security Alert pop-up in Outlook:
"The security certificate has expired or is not yet valid"

Solution:

Two options:
1. Issue new certificate.
  • Logon on to your SBS Server.
  • Open the SBS Console
  • Go to Network > Connectivity tab
  • Switch back to SBS Console and on the right-hand side, click on "Fix My Network"
  • Run through the wizard, and it will detect the expired certificate and issue a new one.
Now you may need to Export that certificate and import it on every client connecting to the server.
  • In SBS Console right click "Certificate" and select "View certificate properties"
  • Make sure there is no errors or warnings in here
  • Close certificate pop up window
  • Now click "Open Certificate Installation Package", which will open "C:\Users\Public\Downloads"
  • You will find here "Install Certificate Package.zip" which contains InstallCertificate.exe and SBSCertificate.cer
  • Copy that zip to every pc and double click InstallCertificate.exe, which will inject it into "Trusted Root Certification Authorities" store.
  • Use Group Policy to automate it:
  • "Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Public Key Policies/Trusted Root Certification Authorities"
  • Import SBSCertificate.cer file
  • Give it at least 90 minutes to propagate
2. Renew certificate with the same key, it does not enhance the security
  • Logon on to your SBS Server.
  •  Start > mmc
  • Add Certificates (Local Computer)
  • Go to Personal > Certificates and find your expired certificate
  • Right click on it and select All Tasks > Advanced Operations > Renew this certificate with the same key
 I haven't tested second option, but assume it should work.

3 comments:

  1. EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT Tutorial! Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Have to hit you up again, EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT Tutorial! Keep up the good work!

    This was a huge issue and there are 12 users.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am very pleased that it worked for you! :)

    ReplyDelete