How to Install and Use OpenSSL on Windows (2024)

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Imagine you're trying to send a secret message to a friend, but you're worried that someone might intercept it and read it before it reaches your friend. To solve this problem, you decide to use a special code to write the message. You and your friend agree on a code beforehand, and you use it to write the message. When your friend receives the coded message, they use the same code to decode it and read the secret message.

Now imagine that you want to send this secret message over the internet, where it might pass through many different computers before reaching your friend. You can't just send the coded message as it is, because anyone who intercepts it could potentially decode it using the same code. To solve this problem, you and your friend agree to use a more complex code that is much harder to break. You also agree to use a special key to encrypt and decrypt the message, so that only your friend can read it.

This is similar to how OpenSSL works. It is a software library that provides cryptographic functions and tools to help you send and receive secure messages over the internet. It uses complex codes and keys to encrypt and decrypt messages, ensuring that they can only be read by the intended recipient. OpenSSL is widely used to implement the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, which is used to secure communication between servers and clients on the internet. It is also used for various other applications such as email and file transfer. Just like the special code and key you and your friend used to send the secret message, OpenSSL helps you send and receive secure messages in a way that keeps them safe from prying eyes.

OpenSSL is a cross-platform software library, which means that it can be built and used on a variety of operating systems, including Windows. There are several options for obtaining and installing OpenSSL on a Windows system, including the following:

Binary distributions: Many organizations and individuals provide pre-built binary distributions of OpenSSL for Windows. These distributions include the OpenSSL libraries, header files, and command-line tools, and are typically distributed as self-contained installers or ZIP archives.

Building from source: If you prefer to build OpenSSL from source, you can download the source code from the OpenSSL website or from a Git repository and build it using a C compiler. This option allows you to customize the build process and create a version of OpenSSL that is tailored to your specific needs.

Once you have installed OpenSSL on your Windows system, you can use the OpenSSL command-line tools in the terminal or command prompt just as you would on any other platform. For example, you can use the openssl command to generate keys, create and sign certificates, and perform other cryptographic operations.

Note that some versions of Windows come with a version of OpenSSL pre-installed, but these versions may not be up-to-date or may not include all of the features and tools that are available in the latest release. If you need the latest version or specific features, you may need to install a separate version of OpenSSL.

This video describes how to install OpenSSL on a Windows machine
To download the latest version of OpenSSL:

To learn more about OpenSSL

This tool is very helpful in terms of cryptography and encryption

[shamsjan]

Went through so many videos. Your video actually resolved it ! thank you

[jozefvendel]

I'm trying to install the latest version of OpenSSL on my Windows computer. I downloaded from this link: enter link description here for 64bit exe file. I am currently using version OpenSSL 1.1.1l 24 Aug 2021. I installed 3.0.2, it changed the path to OpenSSL / bin in various PATH options, but it still tells me that I'm using version 1.1.1l. I searched the internet but I only found instructions on the bet, as I tried and it doesn't work for me. Can't advise me why?

[santigomars]

I have downloaded the 64 version and the file openssl.cfg does't exist, wich one should I put instead?

[tuneit]

Can you plz help me in downloading a enccypted stream video plz brother ?

[lastone]

the last bit was confusing and messy, overall thanks for sharing

[zfriendlybiz]

Why we should install open ssl and how it will work.

[suyodhkittur]

i follwed all the steps, when i enter openssl in the cmd, its not working