Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) file in Microsoft IIS 6.0 Without Removing the Existing Certificate

To generate a new CSR without removing the current certificate, a temporary website must be created. This workaround will apply for IIS servers that currently have certificates installed, but a new CSR (with different key size,etc) needs to be created. Creating a temporary website allows you to keep a current certificate active on the site while another certificate request is pending.

Step 1: Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) file without removing the existing certificate

1. Click Start > All Programs > Administrative Tools > Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
2. Right-click Web Sites.
3. Select New > Web Site.
4. The Web Site Creation Wizard will open. Enter Temporary as the web site name, then click Next.
5. Note: In the Wizard, simply bypass all settings by clicking Next. However, you will need to specify a path. The directory you select is completely arbitrary and will not affect the CSR generation.
6. Click Finish.
7. Note: The temporary web site does not need to be started for this process.
8. Right click , select Properties > Directory Security > Server Certificate.
9. Select Create a New Certificate.
10. Note: choose 2048 bit key length. In Common name field, enter the domain name of the site that you are going to renew the SSL cert for.
11. Click Finish.

Step 2: Install SSL certificate

Once you receive the new certificate, download it, then:

1. Right-click the temporary site > select Properties > Directory Security > Server certificate.
2. Select Process the Pending Request.
3. Complete the wizard to install the certificate.
4. Right-click the production site, then select Properties > Directory Security > Server certificate.
5. Select Replace the current certificate.
6. Select the certificate that you have just installed, then click Finish.
7. Stop and Start the website.

Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) for Other Platforms

Visit the Sectigo Support site.