How to import a certificate into the Local COMPUTER’s store (2024)

IMPORTANT NOTE I

If your .CER certificate contains a private key, you can only import it through the MMC
console.
Neither the certutil nor the Import-Certificate cmdlet keeps the private key during
the import process.
The Import-PfxCertificate cmdlet keeps the private key, but it does not import .CER certificates.

IMPORTANT NOTE II

Except for PFX files, if you want to import the private key with the
certificate, you have to import it on the computer from which you made the request. Otherwise, there is a protection
mechanism which removes the private key from the certificate.
Imagine, you make a request and a man in the middle is stealing or copying your certificate while it is transferred to
your computer…

Import the certificate with Certutil

The following command line assumes that you are already inside the folder containing the certificate. Otherwise,
provide the path to the certificate file.

certutil -addstore -f "My" "MyCertificate.cer"

NOTE:
The key point here is that the -user parameter is not used. Without this parameter, the certificate is
imported into the Local Computer‘s store instead of the Local User‘s store.

Import the certificate with Powershell

Import a .CER certificate#fn-2209-1

Import-Certificate -FilePath .\Certificate.cer -CertStoreLocation Cert:\LocalMachine\My

Import a .PFX certificate

Import-PfxCertificate -FilePath .\Certificate.cer -CertStoreLocation Cert:\LocalMachine\My

Import a certificate through the console

  1. In a command line type certlm1
  2. Expand Certificates – Current User \ Personal \ Certificates (if this folder already exists)
  3. Right-click the Personal folder, select All tasks and Import…
    How to import a certificate into the Local COMPUTER’s store (1)
  4. Type the file name or click Browse and select the certificate you want to import.
  5. Select Place all certificates in the following store and use Personal as
    Certificate store.
    How to import a certificate into the Local COMPUTER’s store (2)

More about

Certutil
(Microsoft Technet)

  1. For operating systems older than Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8, type mmc
    in a command line and add the Certificates snap-in as a computer
    account.

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How to import a certificate into the Local COMPUTER’s store (2024)

FAQs

How do I import a certificate to my local computer? ›

Import the certificate into the local computer store

On the File menu, select Add/Remove snap-in. In the Add/Remove Snap-in dialog box, select Add. In the Add Standalone Snap-in dialog box, select Certificates, and then select Add. In the Certificates snap-in dialog box, select Computer account, and then select Next.

How do I add a certificate to my local certificate store? ›

Adding your certificate to the Microsoft Windows certificate...
  1. From the Windows Start menu, click Start > Run and enter mmc to open the Microsoft Management Console.
  2. Click File > Add/Remove Snap-in from the Microsoft Management Console.
  3. Click Add.
  4. Select Certificates and click Add.

How do I access certificates on my local computer? ›

To view certificates for the local device

Select Run from the Start menu, and then enter certlm. msc. The Certificate Manager tool for the local device appears. To view your certificates, under Certificates - Local Computer in the left pane, expand the directory for the type of certificate you want to view.

How do I download a certificate to my computer? ›

Web browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc).
  1. Step 1: Open the Website You Want to Download the Certificate From.
  2. Step 2: Click the Secure Icon Next to the URL.
  3. Step 3: Click on "Certificate"
  4. Step 4: Select "Details" and "Copy to File..."
  5. Step 5: Save Your Certificate File. Click Next. ...
  6. 1 Comment. 57926403miaaa year ago.

How do I import a digital certificate? ›

Import into Chrome
  1. In Chrome, navigate to Settings > Privacy and Security > Security > Manage Certificates.
  2. Click the Import button.
  3. Click Next.
  4. Browse to certificate file.
  5. Click Next.
  6. Type the Password. ...
  7. Deselect Enable strong private key protection. ...
  8. Select Mark this key as exportable.
Feb 20, 2024

How to import a certificate in Windows 11? ›

Import Certification Authority Certificate
  1. Right Click Certificate Folder in the left panel or click in any free are in the middle panel.
  2. Click All Tasks.
  3. Click Import.
  4. Proceed with Next.
  5. Click Browse.
  6. Now navigate to your exported Certification Authority Certificate. ...
  7. Select the Certificate.
  8. Click Open.
Apr 10, 2024

How do I add a certificate to a local computer in Windows 10? ›

Open Command Prompt and type mmc and hit Enter to open MMC. Go to File menu, click Add/Remove Snap In, and add the Certificates snap-in for Local Computer. Once added, right-click in the middle window and select All Tasks > Import. Once imported, the certificate should show up under Local Computer and not Current User.

Where is the local certificate store? ›

This type of certificate store is local to the computer, global to all users on the computer, and is located under the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE root in the registry.

How to fix Windows does not have enough information to verify this certificate? ›

Fix: Windows Has Not Enough Information to Verify Certificate
  1. Solution 1: Enter Incognito Mode.
  2. Solution 2: Clear Your Browsing Data.
  3. Solution 3: Flush DNS.
  4. Solution 4: Change DNS Settings.
  5. Solution 5: Reset Your Browser.
  6. Solution 6: Reinstall Certificates.
Oct 11, 2023

How do I manually request a computer certificate? ›

Request a basic certificate

Using a web browser, connect to https://<servername>/certsrv , where <servername> is the host name of the computer running the CA Web Enrollment role service. Select Request a certificate. On the Request a Certificate page, select User Certificate.

How do I export a certificate from a local computer? ›

To export a certificate from the Windows certificate stores with the private key:
  1. Open the certificate management console for the local computer by running the following command. ...
  2. In the console tree, navigate to the certificate you want to export.
  3. Right-click the certificate, select All Tasks, and then select Export.
Feb 19, 2024

How do I import a self signed certificate into Windows? ›

Certificate installation
  1. Open the Microsoft Management Console (Start > MMC);
  2. Provide the self-signed certificate: Choose File > Add/Remove Snap-in; in the standalone tab, choose Add; choose the Certificates snap-in > Add; in the wizard, choose the Computer Account > Local Computer; press Finish to end the wizard;
Dec 21, 2023

How to download and install an SSL certificate? ›

Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR).
  1. Login to cPanel.
  2. Click SSL/TLS in the "Security" section.
  3. Click the Generate, view, upload, or delete your private keys links.
  4. Scroll down to the “Generate a New Key” section. ...
  5. Click “Return to SSL Manager”. ...
  6. Enter your organization's information. ...
  7. Click the Generate button.
Mar 24, 2024

How do I get certificates on Windows? ›

Request a certificate using Certificate Manager
  1. certlm. msc – opens the Local Machine certificate store.
  2. mmc. msc – opens the Microsoft Management Console. Load the Certificate Manager snap-in. Go to File > Add/Remove Snap-In. Select Certificates. Select Add. When prompted, select Computer Account and select Next.
Apr 10, 2024

How do I import a client certificate into my browser? ›

Chrome: Importing Your Client Certificate

In Chrome, go to Settings. On the Settings page, below Default browser, click Show advanced settings. Under HTTPS/SSL, click Manage certificates. In the Certificates window, on the Personal tab, click Import.

Can I copy certificates from one PC to another? ›

In the Add or Remove Snap-ins window, you should now see the Certificates (Local Computer) snap-in. In the MMC Console, in the console tree, expand Certificates (Local Computer) > Personal, and select the Certificates folder. In the center pane, select (highlight) the certificate(s) that you want to move (or copy).

How do I import a certificate into my browser? ›

Importing SSL Certificate in Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or...
  1. From your Control Panel or Network Settings, go to the Network and Sharing Center and click Internet Options:
  2. Click the Content tab and then Certificates.
  3. Click the Trusted Root Certificate Authorities tab and click Import.

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