Originally published on cert-depot.com . Free, open-source self-signed certificate generator — no signup, keys never stored.

How to Trust a Self-Signed Certificate on Windows

Add your certificate to the Windows Trusted Root store — the GUI and PowerShell ways.

Windows maintains certificate stores for both the current user and the local machine. For a certificate to be trusted system-wide, install it into Local Machine › Trusted Root Certification Authorities .

Method 1: Double-click (easiest)

Rename your certificate to .crt if it's .pem (Windows recognizes both, but .crt triggers the install dialog on double-click).

Double-click the file. The Certificate dialog opens.

Click Install Certificate… .

Select Local Machine (requires admin confirmation).…