How to install OpenSSL on Windows 10

SSL encryption wallpaper

In this post I explain how to install OpenSSL on Windows 10. OpenSSL is a full-featured toolkit for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It is licensed under an Apache-style license. This tutorial will help you to install OpenSSL on Windows operating systems.

Download OpenSSL Binary

Download the latest OpenSSL windows installer file from the following download page. Click the below link to visit OpenSSL download page:

https://slproweb.com/products/Win32OpenSSL.html

Download OpenSSL for Windows 10
Download OpenSSL for Windows 10

Run OpenSSL Installer

Now run the OpenSSL installer on your system. The OpenSSL required Microsoft Visual C++ to be installed on your system. If your system doesn’t have Microsoft Visual C++ installed, the installer will show your message like:

OpenSSL requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2017
OpenSSL requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2017

Click Yes to download and install required Microsoft Visual C++ package on your system.

OpenSSL requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2017
OpenSSL requires Microsoft Visual C++ 2017

Then again run the OpenSSL installer and follow the wizard.

OpenSSL setup
OpenSSL setup

Setup Environment Variables

Now set the environment variables to function OpenSSL properly on your system. You are required to set OPENSSL_CONF and Path environment variables.

Firstly, start to open Settings from the menu Windows and search for environment.

Windows 10 Settings page

Secondly, select the option “Edit the system environment variables“.

System Properties on Windows 10
System Properties on Windows 10

Thirdly, at the bottom of this window, click on Environment Variables…

Environment properties on Windows 10
Environment properties on Windows 10

So, in the section titled “System variables“, click to New to add a new variable. The first one is OPENSSL_CONF. Click on Browse Files to select openssl.cfg in the OpenSSL directory (by default C:\Program Files\OpenSSL-Win64\bin\).

Edit System Variable on Windows 10
Edit System Variable on Windows 10

Now, double click on the variable called “Path“.

Edit environment variable on Windows 10
Edit environment variable on Windows 10

Finally, click on New and browse your computer to the OpenSSL directory and select bin folder. Click Ok and save.

Run OpenSSL Binary

Finally, open a command prompt or PowerShell and type openssl to get OpenSSL prompt. Then run version command on OpenSSL proper to view installed OpenSSL version.

OpenSSL is running on PowerShell on Windows 10
OpenSSL is running on PowerShell on Windows 10

Conclusion

In conclusion, this is how to install OpenSSL on Windows 10. If you have any question, please use our Forum.

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