How to Open/View Certificates in Windows - certmgr.msc

In the Windows operating system, certificates play a crucial role in ensuring the security and authenticity of various processes and communications. Certificates are used to verify the identity of individuals, organizations, and devices, and to establish secure connections. The ability to open and view certificates is essential for system administrators, security professionals, and anyone working with digital security. In this article, we will explore how to open and view certificates in Windows using the certmgr.msc tool.

Examples:

1. Opening certmgr.msc:

• Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.


• Type "certmgr.msc" and press Enter.


• The Certificate Manager window will open, displaying the certificates installed on the local machine.

2. Navigating the Certificate Store:

• In the Certificate Manager window, you will see various certificate stores such as Personal, Trusted Root Certification Authorities, Intermediate Certification Authorities, etc.


• Expand each store to view the certificates contained within.


• Double-clicking on a certificate will provide detailed information about it, including the certificate chain, expiration date, and intended purposes.

3. Importing and Exporting Certificates:

• To import a certificate, right-click on the desired certificate store and select "All Tasks" > "Import."


• Follow the import wizard to select the certificate file and complete the import process.


• To export a certificate, right-click on the certificate and select "All Tasks" > "Export."


• Follow the export wizard to choose the desired format and location for the exported certificate.

4. Managing Certificate Trust:

• In the Certificate Manager window, navigate to the Trusted Root Certification Authorities store.


• Here, you can view and manage the certificates that are trusted to verify the authenticity of other certificates.


• Adding or removing certificates from this store can impact the trustworthiness of the entire system.