Switching ManagementStudio from Unsecured (Non‑SSL) to SSL Configuration

Modified on Tue, 3 Mar at 3:31 PM

TABLE OF CONTENTS



Overview

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to configure ManagementStudio to use a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) connection, switching the application from HTTP (non-secure) to HTTPS (secure). Following these steps will enable encrypted communications for ManagementStudio.


Import SSL Certificate onto IIS Server

  • Open the Start menu and search for Run.
  • Type mmc and click OK.
  • In the MMC window, select FileAdd/Remove Snap-in.
  • Choose Certificates and click Add.



  • Select Computer Account, then click Next and Finish.



  • Choose Local Computer, click Finish. Close the standalone snap-in and add/remove snap-in windows if prompted.



  • Expand the Certificates (Local Computer) console tree. Navigate to the Personal folder and expand it.
  • Right-click Personal and select All TasksImport.



  • Use the Certificate Import Wizard to import your primary certificate from the .pfx file. When prompted, choose to automatically place certificates in certificate stores based on the type of certificate.
  • Upon successful import, click OK in the confirmation dialog.




Enable the New Certificate in IIS

  • Open the Start menu and launch Administrative ToolsInternet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
  • In IIS Manager, select the server name.
  • Expand the Sites node.
  • Select the ManagementStudio site.
  • In the Actions panel, click Bindings.
  • In the Site Bindings window, select the site's hostname and click Add (or Edit to update an existing binding).
  • In the Add Site Bindingwindow, complete the following fields:
    • Type: https
    • IP address: Select the site’s IP address or choose All Unassigned
    • Port: Typically 443 for SSL
    • Host name: Enter the appropriate DNS name
    • SSL certificate: Select the imported certificate
  • Click OK to save the binding.
  • Click Close to exit the Site Bindings dialog.
  • In the Actions panel, click Restart to apply the changes.





Configure and Test ManagementStudio


  • Navigate to the [IIS Website folder]  directory and open the Appsettings.json file with a text editor (e.g., Notepad).

  • Edit the LocalSiteUrl value to use the new HTTPS URL.

    Example:

    Before:

    "LocalSiteUrl": "http://localhost:90",

    After:

    "LocalSiteUrl": "https://localhost:443",
  • Save the file.

  • In IIS Manager, expand Sites and select the ManagementStudio website.

  • Click Browse Website. In the browser, append /0 to the website URL (e.g., https://localhost:443/0) and press Enter to confirm the site loads securely.





  • Close the browser.

  • Launch ManagementStudio.

  • Enter your username and password.

  • In the ManagementStudio URL field, enter the new HTTPS URL (e.g., https://localhost:443).

  • Click Sign In.

  • Navigate to AdministrationGlobal Settings (1).

  • Select Global Settings (2).

  • Update the Public URL (3) with the new HTTPS URL.

  • Click Save Changes (4).




  • Restart ManagementStudio and log in.

  • Distribute the new HTTPS URL to all users for secure access.




Further Support

For additional assistance, visit the ManagementStudio Service Desk to search the knowledge base or submit a support ticket.

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