How to use lego in Microsoft Windows

[plethora9]

I downloaded the windows amd64 binary, but how do I use it? I cannot find documentation on this anywhere. It's not the same as Linux. In Windows, we can't start the command with the DNS API token or key. I don't see a way to run this in command prompt or powershell.

[ldez]

Hello,

You have to download and unzip the archive:
https://github.com/go-acme/lego/releases/download/v4.12.1/lego_v4.12.1_windows_amd64.zip

You will have the binary (lego.exe) and license.

After you just have to follow the documentation https://go-acme.github.io/lego/usage/cli/ to run the binary (lego.exe)

[plethora9]

Hello, thanks for the reply. I did see that link on the documentation but it does not cover Windows usage. It only covers how to do it in Linux where it is possible to specify a parameter before the lego command. Windows won't let me do that.

[ldez]

There are no specific things for Windows except the binary name (.exe) and path separator (\).
Windows lets you use CLI flags: lego is a command line, you have to run it inside a terminal.

[plethora9]

Sorry it is still not working or I am still not understanding. I am trying to run this from an administrator command prompt on Windows Server 2019. It is not letting me set the flag for the DNS API Token.

[ldez]

You have to set the environment variables (they are not CLI flags) with your credentials.
Then you cannot do -CLOUDFLARE_DNS_API_TOKEN=xxx.

You have to remove \ at the end of the lines.

CLOUDFLARE_DNS_API_TOKEN=1234567890abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz lego --email [email protected] --dns cloudflare --domains my.example.org run

another way:

setx CLOUDFLARE_DNS_API_TOKEN "1234567890abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"
lego --email [email protected] --dns cloudflare --domains my.example.org run

NOTE: I recommend using something better than the default Windows terminal (like Git BASH or WSL)

[plethora9]

Got it, thank you! That second method worked. Here is what I ended up with for now. I will check out BASH and WSL as soon as I can. Thanks again!

SET CLOUDFLARE_DNS_API_TOKEN=1234567890abcdefjhijklmnopqrstuvwxyz && lego --email [email protected] --dns cloudflare --key-type rsa2048 -d device.domain.com --accept-tos --pem run

I removed the path parameter and just let it use the .lego sub-folder.

Also thanks for fixing my second screenshot :)