I also wanted to use OpenSSL on Windows 10. An easy way to do it without running into the risk of installing unknown software from 3rd party websites and risking viruses, is by using the openssl.exe that comes inside your Git for Windows installation. In my case, I found the OpenSSL executable in the following location of the Git for Windows installation.

C:\Program Files\Git\usr\bin\openssl.exe

If you also want instructions on how to use OpenSSL to generate and use certificates, here is a write-up on my blog. The step by step instructions first explain how to use Microsoft Windows Default Tool and also OpenSSL and explains the difference between them.

Answer from Kaushik Ghosh on Stack Overflow
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Shining Light Productions
slproweb.com › products › Win32OpenSSL.html
Win32/Win64 OpenSSL Installer for Windows - Shining Light Productions
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How do I install OpenSSL on Windows?
try working retail version of Windows 11 pro keys from Hype-stkey on Google legit More on reddit.com
🌐 r/openssl
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May 25, 2023
Where to find Windows 10 installer For OpenSSL?
I found that the Shining Light Productions web site is referenced by OpenSSL WIKI page : wiki.openssl.org , so I think that I will use it More on reddit.com
🌐 r/openssl
6
5
August 30, 2023
OpenSSL Updates for all of our devices but different versions of OpenSSL/Apps
There is no resolution that will make it go away from the vulnerability dashboard that someone undoubtedly is pestering you about. What you are looking at is some dynamically linked libraries that contain some cryptographic functions that the applications in question make use of in some way or another. Building upon open source like this makes sense, since the alternative would be for everyone to spend time and resource on doing their own likely error-prone cryptographic implementation. Can you just compile your own OpenSSL dll files and use them to swap the allegedly vulnerable ones? Depends on the app. Sometimes it goes OK, sometimes it breaks the app. Someone is not very likely to stage a man-in-the-middle attack on microsoft windows photos. If the DLL is not in your systems PATH variable, then other applications on the system cannot make use of the DLL unless they address the exact path it is in. A better approach is to open a conversation with whoever is pestering you about the vulnerability scores. Explain that MS Defender will report on components on harddrive with CVE's, but it will NOT be able to determine for you which of these are exploitable. Thus, spending resources chasing a clean sheet in a vulnerability dashboard is a rather large waste of time. In fact, if you have a security team on your throat about CVE's in a dashboard, then ask them to help you prioritize the ones that are exploitable. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/DefenderATP
7
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August 19, 2024
Enabling legacy provider in OpenSSL for Windows
The additional tools that are installed with git on Windows are meant to be run inside the MSYS2 environment (started via bash) not natively in Windows. When the installer offers to extend default PATH you get - AFAIK - options similar to this list: a) no change b) add C:\Program Files\Git\bin c) add C:\Program Files\Git\bin AND C:\Program Files\Git\usr\bin When last is selected there is a warning, that this could cause issues. Your challenge is one example, what can happen. Does it work when you reset the openssl.cnf inside git to the original one and run: "C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe" -c "openssl list -provider legacy -providers" For me this works - out of the box - and provides this output: Providers: legacy name: OpenSSL Legacy Provider version: 3.2.1 status: active One warning: When you run into more issues, also double check which runtime environment has which environment variables set. E.g. :: for windows set OPENSSL :: for git MSYS2 "C:\Program Files\Git\bin\bash.exe" -c "env | grep ^OPENSSL" If you miss that such a variable is set, you can get crazy, why changes in openssl.cnf do not seem to work, because the last one wins: config environment variable command line option More on reddit.com
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March 23, 2024
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 1345660 › openssl-was-not-installed-separately-from-the-micr
OpenSSL was not installed separately from the Microsoft Windows 10 OS. Will Microsoft be incorporating an update to OpenSSL in September 2023's Cumulative Update? Patching separately is not the right answer. - Microsoft Q&A
As stated in the suggested answer, "If OpenSSL was not originally included as part of the Windows 10 installation" -- It was included as part of the Windows 10 installation and not installed separately. It's not listed under Apps, not listed nor under Windows Features.
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Adam the Automator
adamtheautomator.com › openssl-windows-10
Master OpenSSL on Windows 10: A Guide to Powerful Security
Navigate OpenSSL on Windows 10 with ease: This guide covers from installation to certificate management using PowerShell. Enhance your security skills today!
Published   December 18, 2024
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Hostnoc
hostnoc.com › home › guide › how to install openssl on windows? [complete 64-bit and 32-bit guide]
How To Install OpenSSL On Windows? 64-bit And 32-bit Guide
June 24, 2024 - Download the installer: Visit the official OpenSSL website at openssl.org, then navigate to a trusted third-party distributor like slproweb.com that provides pre-compiled Windows binaries. Download the Win64 OpenSSL installer (typically named Win64OpenSSL-[version].exe) suitable for 64-bit systems running Windows 10, 11, or Windows Server.
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codestudy
codestudy.net › blog › how-to-install-openssl-in-windows-10
How to Install OpenSSL on Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide to Correct Version, Environment Variables & Certificate Generation — codestudy.net
This guide will walk you through **every step** of installing OpenSSL on Windows 10, including choosing the right version, configuring environment variables, verifying the installation, and generating your first SSL/TLS certificate. Whether you’re new to OpenSSL or need a refresher, this ...
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Cloudzy
cloudzy.com › home › blog › security & networking › how to install openssl on windows 10 & 11
How to Install OpenSSL on Windows 10 & 11 · Cloudzy Blog
September 21, 2025 - Create a certificate signing request: openssl req -new -key test_key.pem -out test_csr.pem. The system will ask for details like country code and organization name-just fill in whatever for testing purposes. For development environments where you’re also setting up web servers, understanding SSL certificate management becomes crucial. Our guide on how to install IIS on Windows 10 shows how OpenSSL works alongside web server configurations for comprehensive certificate management.
Find elsewhere
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DropVPS
dropvps.com › home › blog › how to install openssl on windows 10 & 11
How to Install OpenSSL on Windows 10 & 11
November 15, 2025 - OpenSSL provides the core TLS/crypto tools used for certificates, keys, and secure communication; installing it on Windows gives you openssl for development and server tasks. Download the official Windows installer (commonly provided by Shining ...
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CloudInsidr
cloudinsidr.com › content › how-to-install-the-most-recent-version-of-openssl-on-windows-10-in-64-bit
How to install the most recent version of OpenSSL on Windows 10 in 64 Bit - CloudInsidr
October 24, 2024 - Now you are ready to start creating your OpenSSL keys. (Speaking of which: users of the remote access utility PuTTY can export an OpenSSH key from PuTTYgen.) When using OpenSSL on Windows in this way, you simply omit the openssl command you see at the prompt.
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TecAdmin
tecadmin.net › install-openssl-on-windows
How To Install OpenSSL on Windows – TecAdmin
April 26, 2025 - Could you please send me a sample openssl.cfg file for Windows XP SP3. Thanks in advance. ... Hi Mike, The webpage have both version of files to download. ... Sure, it was just to let you know, that if people copy-paste what you are doing it won’t work. I did this before realizing the issue. ... Thank You, worked in Windows 10.
Top answer
1 of 2
4

I hope someone can advise me what have I been missing in order to generate the certificate.

You attempted to run OpenSSL prompt commands within a Command Prompt. You need to run OpenSSL within a Command Prompt in order to start the required OpenSSL prompt.

This required step was clearly indicated in the tutorial you linked to.

Open a command prompt and type openssl to get OpenSSL prompt. Then run version command on OpenSSL proper to view installed OpenSSL version.

Source: How To Install OpenSSL on Windows

Based on the information provided in the question body, and the fact you are getting 'version' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.` it means you are not launching OpenSSL. I have provided a screenshot that explains what you should be doing exactly.

Even going into the bin area where openSSL.exe reside, it is no good still C:\Program Files\OpenSSL-Win64\bin>openssl req -x509 -out localhost.crt -keyout localhost.key \ req: Use -help for summary.

You need to run OpenSSL.exe before you run this command.

Issue the command exactly as it appears in the above screenshot. If you did not choose to include the OpenSSL \bin directory then you should reinstall OpenSSL.

In order for this OpenSSL command to work, -subj '/CN=localhost' -extensions EXT -config, you must have defiend the OPENSSL_CONF PATH system variable. There is a way to avoid creating the system variable but that isn't within the scope of this answer.

2 of 2
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Same question was asked on StackOverflow and the solution is quite simple.

You probably have Git installed on your machine, so you can simply run openssl on the Git Bash.

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MonoVM
monovm.com › blog › windows › install openssl on windows: complete step-by-step guide
Install OpenSSL on Windows: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
December 9, 2025 - OpenSSL officially supports: Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows Server 2016 / 2019 / 2022 Older versions may work but aren't recommended.
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Xolphin
xolphin.com › support › manuals › openssl
OpenSSL - Installation under Windows
OpenSSL for Windows has now been installed and can be found as OpenSSL.exe in C:\OpenSSL-Win32\bin\. Always open the program as Administrator.
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SourceForge
sourceforge.net › projects › openssl
OpenSSL download | SourceForge.net
May 3, 2026 - This project offers OpenLDAP for Windows. It supports: OpenSSL, Berkeley DB, GSS API, Cyrus SASL and ODBC. It includes most of the features available on Linux. It works out of the box so no additional software is needed. * Pass-through authentication * SASL Mechanisms Integration with: * Active Directory (AD) * MSSQL * MySQL * PostgreSQL * RADIUS Server (http://www.winradius.eu/) * HostAP Server (https://sourceforge.net/projects/radiusport/files/freeradius-2.2.10-x64/) Top Searches ·
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OperaVPS
operavps.com › docs › install openssl on windows easily and quickly
✅ Install OpenSSL on Windows: Step by Step Guide
1 month ago - You need to provide some requirements before starting to install OpenSSL on Windows. The most common and basic requirements are: Windows System Compatibility First, make sure you are using a compatible version of Windows such as Windows 7, 10, 11, and Windows Server editions.
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1Gbits
1gbits.com › home page › blog › cyber security & server protection › how to install openssl on windows (10/11) - full guide
How to Install OpenSSL on Windows (10/11) - Full Guide
April 30, 2026 - If you prefer a modern, CLI-first approach, the Windows Package Manager (Winget) is the fastest way to handle install OpenSSL Windows 10 or 11.
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Linux Mint
wilivm.com › blog › install-openssl-on-windows-10-11
Install OpenSSL on Windows 10/11: A Step-by-Step Guide
September 30, 2024 - Deploying OpenSSL on Windows 10 and Windows 11 has become more accessible, and this guide outlines two straightforward methods for installation. Begin with the most direct approach by leveraging the Windows Package Manager. To initiate this process, press the Windows-logo+R keys simultaneously to open the ‘Run’ dialogue box, type ‘cmd’, and select OK.
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OpenSSL
wiki.openssl.org › index.php › Binaries
Binaries · openssl/openssl Wiki · GitHub
OpenSSL-React app Basic Wasm terminal Running sample ... Works with MSVC++, Builder 3/4/5, and MinGW. Comes in form of self-install executables. ... Pre-compiled packages at conan.io package manager: Windows x86/x86_64 (Visual Studio 10, 12, 14, 15) Linux x86/x86_64 (gcc 4.e6, 4.8, 4.9, 5, 6, 7) OSx (Apple clang).
Author   openssl
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OpenSSL
openssl.org
OpenSSL
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