OpenSSL issue

Hello Jonathan,

Thank you for posting your question on the Microsoft Windows Forum!

The error in your screenshot indicates that OpenSSL is not installed, or its installation path is not included in the Windows PATH environment variable.

The key error is:

openssl : The term 'openssl' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet,
function, script file, or operable program.

This means PowerShell cannot find openssl.exe.

Step 1: Check Whether OpenSSL Is Installed

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run:

where openssl

If nothing is returned, OpenSSL is either:

• Not installed, or
• Not in the PATH environment variable.

Step 2: Check for OpenSSL Installation

Look for OpenSSL in common locations such as:

C:\Program Files\OpenSSL-Win64</span>

or

C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenSSL-Win32</span>

If you find:

openssl.exe

try running it directly:

& "C:\Program Files\OpenSSL-Win64\bin\openssl.exe" version

If a version number is displayed, OpenSSL is installed but not added to PATH.

Step 3: Add OpenSSL to PATH

If OpenSSL is installed:

1. Open:

System Properties
→ Advanced
→ Environment Variables

Under System Variables, edit:

Path

1. Add the OpenSSL bin folder, for example:

C:\Program Files\OpenSSL-Win64\bin

1. Open a new PowerShell window and test:

openssl version

Step 4: Install OpenSSL (If Not Installed)

If OpenSSL is not installed, install it first and then reopen PowerShell.

After installation, verify:

openssl version

returns a valid version.

Step 5: Generate the Key Again

Once OpenSSL is working, re-run:

openssl genrsa -out dkim_private.key 2048

Additional Information

Could you please confirm:

1. Is this Windows Server or Windows 11?
2. Have you already installed OpenSSL?
3. What is the output of:

where openssl

This will help determine whether OpenSSL is missing entirely or simply not available in the PATH.

I hope this answer has brought you useful information. If so, please click on "Accept Answer" and consider upvoting it. Doing so helps other community members identify useful solutions to similar issues