https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/certutil
Certutil.exe is a command-line program, installed as part of Certificate Services. You can use certutil.exe to dump and display certification authority (CA) configuration information, configure Certificate Services, backup and restore CA components, and verify certificates, key pairs, and certificate chains.
If certutil is run on a certification authority without additional parameters, it displays the current certification authority configuration. If certutil is run on a non-certification authority, the command defaults to running the certutil [-dump] command.
Important
Earlier versions of certutil may not provide all of the options that are described in this document. You can see all the options that a specific version of certutil provides by running certutil -? or certutil <parameter> -?.
Dump configuration information or files.
certutil [options] [-dump]
certutil [options] [-dump] file
[-f] [-silent] [-split] [-p password] [-t timeout]
Parse and display the contents of a file using Abstract Syntax Notation (ASN.1) syntax. File types include .CER, .DER and PKCS #7 formatted files.
certutil [options] -asn file [type]
[type]: numeric CRYPT_STRING_* decoding type
Decode a hexadecimal-encoded file.
certutil [options] -decodehex infile outfile [type]
[type]: numeric CRYPT_STRING_* encoding type
[-f]
Decode a Base64-encoded file.
certutil [options] -decode infile outfile
[-f]
Encode a file to Base64.
certutil [options] -encode infile outfile
[-f] [-unicodetext]
Deny a pending request.
certutil [options] -deny requestID
[-config Machine\CAName]
Resubmit a pending request.
certutil [options] -resubmit requestId
[-config Machine\CAName]
Set attributes for a pending certificate request.
certutil [options] -setattributes RequestID attributestring
Where:
requestID is the numeric Request ID for the pending request.
attributestring is the request attribute name and value pairs.
[-config Machine\CAName]
CertificateTemplate:User\nEMail:User@Domain.com where the \n sequence is converted to a newline separator.Set an extension for a pending certificate request.
certutil [options] -setextension requestID extensionname flags {long | date | string | \@infile}
Where:
requestID is the numeric Request ID for the pending request.
extensionname is the ObjectId string for the extension.
flags sets the priority of the extension. 0 is recommended, while 1 sets the extension to critical, 2 disables the extension, and 3 does both.
[-config Machine\CAName]
If the last parameter is numeric, it's taken as a Long.
If the last parameter can be parsed as a date, it's taken as a Date.
If the last parameter starts with \@, the rest of the token is taken as the filename with binary data or an ascii-text hex dump.
If the last parameter is anything else, it's taken as a String.
Revoke a certificate.
certutil [options] -revoke serialnumber [reason]
Where:
serialnumber is a comma-separated list of certificate serial numbers to revoke.
reason is the numeric or symbolic representation of the revocation reason, including:
0. CRL_REASON_UNSPECIFIED - Unspecified (default)
1. CRL_REASON_KEY_COMPROMISE - Key compromise
2. CRL_REASON_CA_COMPROMISE - Certificate Authority compromise
3. CRL_REASON_AFFILIATION_CHANGED - Affiliation changed
4. CRL_REASON_SUPERSEDED - Superseded
5. CRL_REASON_CESSATION_OF_OPERATION - Cessation of operation
6. CRL_REASON_CERTIFICATE_HOLD - Certificate hold
8. CRL_REASON_REMOVE_FROM_CRL - Remove From CRL
-1. Unrevoke - Unrevoke
[-config Machine\CAName]
Display the disposition of the current certificate.
certutil [options] -isvalid serialnumber | certhash
[-config Machine\CAName]
Get the default configuration string.
certutil [options] -getconfig
[-config Machine\CAName]
Attempt to contact the Active Directory Certificate Services Request interface.
certutil [options] -ping [maxsecondstowait | camachinelist]
Where:
[-config Machine\CAName]
Display information about the certification authority.
certutil [options] -cainfo [infoname [index | errorcode]]
Where:
infoname indicates the CA property to display, based on the following infoname argument syntax:
file - File version
product - Product version
exitcount - Exit module count
exit [index] - Exit module description
policy - Policy module description
name - CA name
sanitizedname - Sanitized CA name
dsname - Sanitized CA short name (DS name)
sharedfolder - Shared folder
error1 ErrorCode - Error message text
error2 ErrorCode - Error message text and error code
type - CA type
info - CA info
parent - Parent CA
certcount - CA cert count
xchgcount - CA exchange cert count
kracount - KRA cert count
kraused - KRA cert used count
propidmax - Maximum CA PropId
certstate [index] - CA cert
certversion [index] - CA cert version
certstatuscode [index] - CA cert verify status
crlstate [index] - CRL
krastate [index] - KRA cert
crossstate+ [index] - Forward cross cert
crossstate- [index] - Backward cross cert
cert [index] - CA cert
certchain [index] - CA cert chain
certcrlchain [index] - CA cert chain with CRLs
xchg [index] - CA exchange cert
xchgchain [index] - CA exchange cert chain
xchgcrlchain [index] - CA exchange cert chain with CRLs
kra [index] - KRA cert
cross+ [index] - Forward cross cert
cross- [index] - Backward cross cert
CRL [index] - Base CRL
deltacrl [index] - Delta CRL
crlstatus [index] - CRL Publish Status
deltacrlstatus [index] - Delta CRL Publish Status
dns - DNS Name
role - Role Separation
ads - Advanced Server
templates - Templates
csp [index] - OCSP URLs
aia [index] - AIA URLs
cdp [index] - CDP URLs
localename - CA locale name
subjecttemplateoids - Subject Template OIDs
* - Displays all properties
index is the optional zero-based property index.
errorcode is the numeric error code.
[-f] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName]
Retrieve the certificate for the certification authority.
certutil [options] -ca.cert outcacertfile [index]
Where:
outcacertfile is the output file.
index is the CA certificate renewal index (defaults to most recent).
[-f] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName]
Retrieve the certificate chain for the certification authority.
certutil [options] -ca.chain outcacertchainfile [index]
Where:
outcacertchainfile is the output file.
index is the CA certificate renewal index (defaults to most recent).
[-f] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName]
Gets a certificate revocation list (CRL).
certutil [options] -getcrl outfile [index] [delta]
Where:
index is the CRL index or key index (defaults to CRL for most recent key).
delta is the delta CRL (default is base CRL).
[-f] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName]
Publish new certificate revocation lists (CRLs) or delta CRLs.
certutil [options] -crl [dd:hh | republish] [delta]
Where:
dd:hh is the new CRL validity period in days and hours.
republish republishes the most recent CRLs.
delta publishes the delta CRLs only (default is base and delta CRLs).
[-split] [-config Machine\CAName]
Shuts down the Active Directory Certificate Services.
certutil [options] -shutdown
[-config Machine\CAName]
Installs a certification authority certificate.
certutil [options] -installcert [cacertfile]
[-f] [-silent] [-config Machine\CAName]
Renews a certification authority certificate.
certutil [options] -renewcert [reusekeys] [Machine\ParentCAName]
-f to ignore an outstanding renewal request, and to generate a new request.[-f] [-silent] [-config Machine\CAName]
Dumps the schema for the certificate.
certutil [options] -schema [ext | attrib | cRL]
Where:
The command defaults to the Request and Certificate table.
ext is the extension table.
attribute is the attribute table.
crl is the CRL table.
[-split] [-config Machine\CAName]
Dumps the certificate view.
certutil [options] -view [queue | log | logfail | revoked | ext | attrib | crl] [csv]
Where:
queue dumps a specific request queue.
log dumps the issued or revoked certificates, plus any failed requests.
logfail dumps the failed requests.
revoked dumps the revoked certificates.
ext dumps the extension table.
attribute dumps the attribute table.
crl dumps the CRL table.
csv provides the output using comma-separated values.
[-silent] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName] [-restrict RestrictionList] [-out ColumnList]
To display the StatusCode column for all entries, type -out StatusCode
To display all columns for the last entry, type: -restrict RequestId==$
To display the RequestID and Disposition for three requests, type: -restrict requestID>37,requestID<40 -out requestID,disposition
To display Row IDsRow IDs and CRL numbers for all Base CRLs, type: -restrict crlminbase=0 -out crlrowID,crlnumber crl
To display , type: -v -restrict crlminbase=0,crlnumber=3 -out crlrawcrl crl
To display the entire CRL table, type: CRL
Use Date[+|-dd:hh] for date restrictions.
Use now+dd:hh for a date relative to the current time.
Dumps the raw database.
certutil [options] -db
[-config Machine\CAName] [-restrict RestrictionList] [-out ColumnList]
Deletes a row from the server database.
certutil [options] -deleterow rowID | date [request | cert | ext | attrib | crl]
Where:
request deletes the failed and pending requests, based on submission date.
cert deletes the expired and revoked certificates, based on expiration date.
ext deletes the extension table.
attribute deletes the attribute table.
crl deletes the CRL table.
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName]
To delete failed and pending requests submitted by January 22, 2001, type: 1/22/2001 request
To delete all certificates that expired by January 22, 2001, type: 1/22/2001 cert
To delete the certificate row, attributes, and extensions for RequestID 37, type: 37
To delete CRLs that expired by January 22, 2001, type: 1/22/2001 crl
Backs up the Active Directory Certificate Services.
certutil [options] -backup backupdirectory [incremental] [keeplog]
Where:
backupdirectory is the directory to store the backed up data.
incremental performs an incremental backup only (default is full backup).
keeplog preserves the database log files (default is to truncate log files).
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p Password]
Backs up the Active Directory Certificate Services database.
certutil [options] -backupdb backupdirectory [incremental] [keeplog]
Where:
backupdirectory is the directory to store the backed up database files.
incremental performs an incremental backup only (default is full backup).
keeplog preserves the database log files (default is to truncate log files).
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName]
Backs up the Active Directory Certificate Services certificate and private key.
certutil [options] -backupkey backupdirectory
Where:
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p password] [-t timeout]
Restores the Active Directory Certificate Services.
certutil [options] -restore backupdirectory
Where:
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p password]
Restores the Active Directory Certificate Services database.
certutil [options] -restoredb backupdirectory
Where:
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName]
Restores the Active Directory Certificate Services certificate and private key.
certutil [options] -restorekey backupdirectory | pfxfile
Where:
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p password]
Import the certificate and private key. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.
certutil [options] -importpfx [certificatestorename] pfxfile [modifiers]
Where:
certificatestorename is the name of the certificate store.
modifiers are the comma-separated list, which can include one or more of the following:
AT_SIGNATURE - Changes the keyspec to signature
AT_KEYEXCHANGE - Changes the keyspec to key exchange
NoExport - Makes the private key non-exportable
NoCert - Doesn't import the certificate
NoChain - Doesn't import the certificate chain
NoRoot - Doesn't import the root certificate
Protect - Protects keys by using a password
NoProtect - Doesn't password protect keys by using a password
[-f] [-user] [-p password] [-csp provider]
Displays a dynamic file list.
certutil [options] -dynamicfilelist
[-config Machine\CAName]
Displays database locations.
certutil [options] -databaselocations
[-config Machine\CAName]
Generates and displays a cryptographic hash over a file.
certutil [options] -hashfile infile [hashalgorithm]
Dumps the certificate store.
certutil [options] -store [certificatestorename [certID [outputfile]]]
Where:
certificatestorename is the certificate store name. For example:
My, CA (default), Root,
ldap:///CN=Certification Authorities,CN=Public Key Services,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=cpandl,DC=com?cACertificate?one?objectClass=certificationAuthority (View Root Certificates)
ldap:///CN=CAName,CN=Certification Authorities,CN=Public Key Services,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=cpandl,DC=com?cACertificate?base?objectClass=certificationAuthority (Modify Root Certificates)
ldap:///CN=CAName,CN=MachineName,CN=CDP,CN=Public Key Services,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=cpandl,DC=com?certificateRevocationList?base?objectClass=cRLDistributionPoint (View CRLs)
ldap:///CN=NTAuthCertificates,CN=Public Key Services,CN=Services,CN=Configuration,DC=cpandl,DC=com?cACertificate?base?objectClass=certificationAuthority (Enterprise CA Certificates)
ldap: (AD computer object certificates)
-user ldap: (AD user object certificates)
certID is the certificate or CRL match token. This can be a serial number, a SHA-1 certificate, CRL, CTL or public key hash, a numeric cert index (0, 1, and so on), a numeric CRL index (.0, .1, and so on), a numeric CTL index (..0, ..1, and so on), a public key, signature or extension ObjectId, a certificate subject Common Name, an e-mail address, UPN or DNS name, a key container name or CSP name, a template name or ObjectId, an EKU or Application Policies ObjectId, or a CRL issuer Common Name. Many of these may result in multiple matches.
outputfile is the file used to save the matching certificates.
[-f] [-user] [-enterprise] [-service] [-grouppolicy] [-silent] [-split] [-dc DCName]
The -user option accesses a user store instead of a machine store.
The -enterprise option accesses a machine enterprise store.
The -service option accesses a machine service store.
The -grouppolicy option accesses a machine group policy store.
For example:
-enterprise NTAuth
-enterprise Root 37
-user My 26e0aaaf000000000004
CA .11
Adds a certificate to the store. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.
certutil [options] -addstore certificatestorename infile
Where:
certificatestorename is the certificate store name.
infile is the certificate or CRL file you want to add to store.
[-f] [-user] [-enterprise] [-grouppolicy] [-dc DCName]
Deletes a certificate from the store. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.
certutil [options] -delstore certificatestorename certID
Where:
certificatestorename is the certificate store name.
certID is the certificate or CRL match token.
[-enterprise] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-dc DCName]
Verifies a certificate in the store. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.
certutil [options] -verifystore certificatestorename [certID]
Where:
certificatestorename is the certificate store name.
certID is the certificate or CRL match token.
[-enterprise] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-silent] [-split] [-dc DCName] [-t timeout]
Repairs a key association or update certificate properties or the key security descriptor. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.
certutil [options] -repairstore certificatestorename certIDlist [propertyinffile | SDDLsecuritydescriptor]
Where:
certificatestorename is the certificate store name.
certIDlist is the comma-separated list of certificate or CRL match tokens. For more info, see the -store certID description in this article.
propertyinffile is the INF file containing external properties, including:
[Properties]
19 = Empty ; Add archived property, OR:
19 = ; Remove archived property
11 = {text}Friendly Name ; Add friendly name property
127 = {hex} ; Add custom hexadecimal property
_continue_ = 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0a 0b 0c 0d 0e 0f
_continue_ = 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1a 1b 1c 1d 1e 1f
2 = {text} ; Add Key Provider Information property
_continue_ = Container=Container Name&
_continue_ = Provider=Microsoft Strong Cryptographic Provider&
_continue_ = ProviderType=1&
_continue_ = Flags=0&
_continue_ = KeySpec=2
9 = {text} ; Add Enhanced Key Usage property
_continue_ = 1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.2,
_continue_ = 1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.1,
[-f] [-enterprise] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-silent] [-split] [-csp provider]
Dumps the certificates store. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.
certutil [options] -viewstore [certificatestorename [certID [outputfile]]]
Where:
certificatestorename is the certificate store name.
certID is the certificate or CRL match token.
outputfile is the file used to save the matching certificates.
[-f] [-user] [-enterprise] [-service] [-grouppolicy] [-dc DCName]
The -user option accesses a user store instead of a machine store.
The -enterprise option accesses a machine enterprise store.
The -service option accesses a machine service store.
The -grouppolicy option accesses a machine group policy store.
For example:
-enterprise NTAuth
-enterprise Root 37
-user My 26e0aaaf000000000004
CA .11
Deletes a certificate from the store.
certutil [options] -viewdelstore [certificatestorename [certID [outputfile]]]
Where:
certificatestorename is the certificate store name.
certID is the certificate or CRL match token.
outputfile is the file used to save the matching certificates.
[-f] [-user] [-enterprise] [-service] [-grouppolicy] [-dc DCName]
The -user option accesses a user store instead of a machine store.
The -enterprise option accesses a machine enterprise store.
The -service option accesses a machine service store.
The -grouppolicy option accesses a machine group policy store.
For example:
-enterprise NTAuth
-enterprise Root 37
-user My 26e0aaaf000000000004
CA .11
Publishes a certificate or certificate revocation list (CRL) to Active Directory.
certutil [options] -dspublish certfile [NTAuthCA | RootCA | SubCA | CrossCA | KRA | User | Machine]
certutil [options] -dspublish CRLfile [DSCDPContainer [DSCDPCN]]
Where:
certfile is the name of the certificate file to publish.
NTAuthCA publishes the certificate to the DS Enterprise store.
RootCA publishes the certificate to the DS Trusted Root store.
SubCA publishes the CA certificate to the DS CA object.
CrossCA publishes the cross-certificate to the DS CA object.
KRA publishes the certificate to the DS Key Recovery Agent object.
User publishes the certificate to the User DS object.
Machine publishes the certificate to the Machine DS object.
CRLfile is the name of the CRL file to publish.
DSCDPContainer is the DS CDP container CN, usually the CA machine name.
DSCDPCN is the DS CDP object CN, usually based on the sanitized CA short name and key index.
Use -f to create a new DS object.
[-f] [-user] [-dc DCName]
Displays Active Directory templates.
certutil [options] -adtemplate [template]
[-f] [-user] [-ut] [-mt] [-dc DCName]
Displays the certificate templates.
certutil [options] -template [template]
[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-policyserver URLorID] [-anonymous] [-kerberos] [-clientcertificate clientcertID] [-username username] [-p password]
Displays the certification authorities (CAs) for a certificate template.
certutil [options] -templatecas template
[-f] [-user] [-dc DCName]
Displays templates for the Certificate Authority.
certutil [options] -catemplates [template]
[-f] [-user] [-ut] [-mt] [-config Machine\CAName] [-dc DCName]
Manages site names, including setting, verifying, and deleting Certificate Authority site names
certutil [options] -setcasites [set] [sitename]
certutil [options] -setcasites verify [sitename]
certutil [options] -setcasites delete
Where:
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName] [-dc DCName]
The -config option targets a single Certificate Authority (Default is all CAs).
The -f option can be used to override validation errors for the specified sitename or to delete all CA sitenames.
Note
For more information about configuring CAs for Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) site awareness, see AD DS Site Awareness for AD CS and PKI clients.
Displays, adds, or deletes enrollment server URLs associated with a CA.
certutil [options] -enrollmentServerURL [URL authenticationtype [priority] [modifiers]]
certutil [options] -enrollmentserverURL URL delete
Where:
authenticationtype specifies one of the following client authentication methods, while adding a URL:
kerberos - Use Kerberos SSL credentials.
username - Use a named account for SSL credentials.
clientcertificate: - Use X.509 Certificate SSL credentials.
anonymous - Use anonymous SSL credentials.
delete deletes the specified URL associated with the CA.
priority defaults to 1 if not specified when adding a URL.
modifiers is a comma-separated list, which includes one or more of the following:
allowrenewalsonly - Only renewal requests can be submitted to this CA via this URL.
allowkeybasedrenewal - Allows use of a certificate that has no associated account in the AD. This applies only with clientcertificate and allowrenewalsonly Mode
[-config Machine\CAName] [-dc DCName]
Displays Active Directory Certificate Authorities.
certutil [options] -adca [CAName]
[-f] [-split] [-dc DCName]
Displays enrollment policy Certificate Authorities.
certutil [options] -CA [CAName | templatename]
[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-split] [-policyserver URLorID] [-anonymous] [-kerberos] [-clientcertificate clientcertID] [-username username] [-p password]
Displays the enrollment policy.
[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-split] [-policyserver URLorID] [-anonymous] [-kerberos] [-clientcertificate clientcertID] [-username username] [-p password]
Displays or deletes enrollment policy cache entries.
certutil [options] -policycache [delete]
Where:
delete deletes the policy server cache entries.
-f deletes all cache entries
[-f] [-user] [-policyserver URLorID]
Displays, adds, or deletes Credential Store entries.
certutil [options] -credstore [URL]
certutil [options] -credstore URL add
certutil [options] -credstore URL delete
Where:
URL is the target URL. You can also use * to match all entries or https://machine* to match a URL prefix.
add adds a credential store entry. Using this option also requires the use of SSL credentials.
delete deletes credential store entries.
-f overwrites a single entry or deletes multiple entries.
[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-anonymous] [-kerberos] [-clientcertificate clientcertID] [-username username] [-p password]
Installs default certificate templates.
certutil [options] -installdefaulttemplates
[-dc DCName]
Displays or deletes URL cache entries.
certutil [options] -URLcache [URL | CRL | * [delete]]
Where:
URL is the cached URL.
CRL runs on all cached CRL URLs only.
* operates on all cached URLs.
delete deletes relevant URLs from the current user's local cache.
-f forces fetching a specific URL and updating the cache.
[-f] [-split]
Pulses auto enrollment events.
certutil [options] -pulse
[-user]
Displays information about the Active Directory machine object.
certutil [options] -machineinfo domainname\machinename$
Displays information about the domain controller. The default displays DC certificates without verification.
certutil [options] -DCInfo [domain] [verify | deletebad | deleteall]
[-f] [-user] [-urlfetch] [-dc DCName] [-t timeout]
Tip
The ability to specify an Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) domain [Domain] and to specify a domain controller (-dc) was added in Windows Server 2012. To successfully run the command, you must use an account that is a member of Domain Admins or Enterprise Admins. The behavior modifications of this command are as follows:
For example, assume there is a domain named CPANDL with a domain controller named CPANDL-DC1. You can run the following command to a retrieve a list of domain controllers and their certificates that from CPANDL-DC1: certutil -dc cpandl-dc1 -DCInfo cpandl
Displays information about an enterprise Certificate Authority.
certutil [options] -entinfo domainname\machinename$
[-f] [-user]
Displays information about the Certificate Authority.
certutil [options] -tcainfo [domainDN | -]
[-f] [-enterprise] [-user] [-urlfetch] [-dc DCName] [-t timeout]
Displays information about the smart card.
certutil [options] -scinfo [readername [CRYPT_DELETEKEYSET]]
Where:
[-silent] [-split] [-urlfetch] [-t timeout]
Manages smart card root certificates.
certutil [options] -scroots update [+][inputrootfile] [readername]
certutil [options] -scroots save \@in\\outputrootfile [readername]
certutil [options] -scroots view [inputrootfile | readername]
certutil [options] -scroots delete [readername]
[-f] [-split] [-p Password]
Deletes the Windows Hello container, removing all associated credentials that are stored on the device, including any WebAuthn and FIDO credentials.
Users will need to sign out after using this option for it to complete.
CertUtil [Options] -DeleteHelloContainer
Verifies a public or private key set.
certutil [options] -verifykeys [keycontainername cacertfile]
Where:
keycontainername is the key container name for the key to verify. This option defaults to machine keys. To switch to user keys, use -user.
cacertfile signs or encrypts certificate files.
[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-config Machine\CAName]
If no arguments are specified, each signing CA certificate is verified against its private key.
This operation can only be performed against a local CA or local keys.
Verifies a certificate, certificate revocation list (CRL), or certificate chain.
certutil [options] -verify certfile [applicationpolicylist | - [issuancepolicylist]]
certutil [options] -verify certfile [cacertfile [crossedcacertfile]]
certutil [options] -verify CRLfile cacertfile [issuedcertfile]
certutil [options] -verify CRLfile cacertfile [deltaCRLfile]
Where:
certfile is the name of the certificate to verify.
applicationpolicylist is the optional comma-separated list of required Application Policy ObjectIds.
issuancepolicylist is the optional comma-separated list of required Issuance Policy ObjectIds.
cacertfile is the optional issuing CA certificate to verify against.
crossedcacertfile is the optional certificate cross-certified by certfile.
CRLfile is the CRL file used to verify the cacertfile.
issuedcertfile is the optional issued certificate covered by the CRLfile.
deltaCRLfile is the optional delta CRL file.
[-f] [-enterprise] [-user] [-silent] [-split] [-urlfetch] [-t timeout]
Using applicationpolicylist restricts chain building to only chains valid for the specified Application Policies.
Using issuancepolicylist restricts chain building to only chains valid for the specified Issuance Policies.
Using cacertfile verifies the fields in the file against certfile or CRLfile.
Using issuedcertfile verifies the fields in the file against CRLfile.
Using deltaCRLfile verifies the fields in the file against certfile.
If cacertfile isn't specified, the full chain is built and verified against certfile.
If cacertfile and crossedcacertfile are both specified, the fields in both files are verified against certfile.
Verifies the AuthRoot or Disallowed Certificates CTL.
certutil [options] -verifyCTL CTLobject [certdir] [certfile]
Where:
CTLobject identifies the CTL to verify, including:
AuthRootWU - Reads the AuthRoot CAB and matching certificates from the URL cache. Use -f to download from Windows Update instead.
DisallowedWU - Reads the Disallowed Certificates CAB and disallowed certificate store file from the URL cache. Use -f to download from Windows Update instead.
AuthRoot - Reads the registry-cached AuthRoot CTL. Use with -f and an untrusted certfile to force the registry cached AuthRoot and Disallowed Certificate CTLs to update.
Disallowed - Reads the registry-cached Disallowed Certificates CTL. Use with -f and an untrusted certfile to force the registry cached AuthRoot and Disallowed Certificate CTLs to update.
CTLfilename specifies the file or http path to the CTL or CAB file.
certdir specifies the folder containing certificates matching the CTL entries. Defaults to the same folder or website as the CTLobject. Using an http folder path requires a path separator at the end. If you don't specify AuthRoot or Disallowed, multiple locations will be searched for matching certificates, including local certificate stores, crypt32.dll resources and the local URL cache. Use -f to download from Windows Update, as needed.
certfile specifies the certificate(s) to verify. Certificates are matched against CTL entries, displaying the results. This option suppresses most of the default output.
[-f] [-user] [-split]
Re-signs a certificate revocation list (CRL) or certificate.
certutil [options] -sign infilelist | serialnumber | CRL outfilelist [startdate+dd:hh] [+serialnumberlist | -serialnumberlist | -objectIDlist | \@extensionfile]
certutil [options] -sign infilelist | serialnumber | CRL outfilelist [#hashalgorithm] [+alternatesignaturealgorithm | -alternatesignaturealgorithm]
Where:
infilelist is the comma-separated list of certificate or CRL files to modify and re-sign.
serialnumber is the serial number of the certificate to create. The validity period and other options can't be present.
CRL creates an empty CRL. The validity period and other options can't be present.
outfilelist is the comma-separated list of modified certificate or CRL output files. The number of files must match infilelist.
startdate+dd:hh is the new validity period for the certificate or CRL files, including:
optional date plus
optional days and hours validity period
If both are specified, you must use a plus sign (+) separator. Use now[+dd:hh] to start at the current time. Use never to have no expiration date (for CRLs only).
serialnumberlist is the comma-separated serial number list of the files to add or remove.
objectIDlist is the comma-separated extension ObjectId list of the files to remove.
@extensionfile is the INF file that contains the extensions to update or remove. For example:
[Extensions]
2.5.29.31 = ; Remove CRL Distribution Points extension
2.5.29.15 = {hex} ; Update Key Usage extension
_continue_=03 02 01 86
hashalgorithm is the name of the hash algorithm. This must only be the text preceded by the # sign.
alternatesignaturealgorithm is the alternate signature algorithm specifier.
[-nullsign] [-f] [-silent] [-cert certID]
Using the minus sign (-) removes serial numbers and extensions.
Using the plus sign (+) adds serial numbers to a CRL.
You can use a list to remove both serial numbers and ObjectIDs from a CRL at the same time.
Using the minus sign before alternatesignaturealgorithm allows you to use the legacy signature format. Using the plus sign allows you to use the alternate signature format. If you don't specify alternatesignaturealgorithm, the signature format in the certificate or CRL is used.
Creates or deletes web virtual roots and file shares.
certutil [options] -vroot [delete]
Creates or deletes web virtual roots for an OCSP web proxy.
certutil [options] -vocsproot [delete]
Add an Enrollment Server application and application pool if necessary, for the specified Certificate Authority. This command does not install binaries or packages.
certutil [options] -addenrollmentserver kerberos | username | clientcertificate [allowrenewalsonly] [allowkeybasedrenewal]
Where:
addenrollmentserver requires you to use an authentication method for the client connection to the Certificate Enrollment Server, including:
kerberos uses Kerberos SSL credentials.
username uses named account for SSL credentials.
clientcertificate uses X.509 Certificate SSL credentials.
allowrenewalsonly allows only renewal request submissions to the Certificate Authority through the URL.
allowkeybasedrenewal allows use of a certificate with no associated account in Active Directory. This applies when used with clientcertificate and allowrenewalsonly mode.
[-config Machine\CAName]
Deletes an Enrollment Server application and application pool if necessary, for the specified Certificate Authority. This command does not install binaries or packages.
certutil [options] -deleteenrollmentserver kerberos | username | clientcertificate
Where:
deleteenrollmentserver requires you to use an authentication method for the client connection to the Certificate Enrollment Server, including:
kerberos uses Kerberos SSL credentials.
username uses named account for SSL credentials.
clientcertificate uses X.509 Certificate SSL credentials.
[-config Machine\CAName]
Add a Policy Server application and application pool, if necessary. This command does not install binaries or packages.
certutil [options] -addpolicyserver kerberos | username | clientcertificate [keybasedrenewal]
Where:
addpolicyserver requires you to use an authentication method for the client connection to the Certificate Policy Server, including:
kerberos uses Kerberos SSL credentials.
username uses named account for SSL credentials.
clientcertificate uses X.509 Certificate SSL credentials.
keybasedrenewal allows use of policies returned to the client containing keybasedrenewal templates. This option applies only for username and clientcertificate authentication.
Deletes a Policy Server application and application pool, if necessary. This command does not remove binaries or packages.
certutil [options] -deletePolicyServer kerberos | username | clientcertificate [keybasedrenewal]
Where:
deletepolicyserver requires you to use an authentication method for the client connection to the Certificate Policy Server, including:
kerberos uses Kerberos SSL credentials.
username uses named account for SSL credentials.
clientcertificate uses X.509 Certificate SSL credentials.
keybasedrenewal allows use of a KeyBasedRenewal policy server.
Displays the object identifier or set a display name.
certutil [options] -oid objectID [displayname | delete [languageID [type]]]
certutil [options] -oid groupID
certutil [options] -oid agID | algorithmname [groupID]
Where:
objectID displays or to adds the display name.
groupID is the groupID number (decimal) that objectIDs enumerate.
algID is the hexadecimal ID that objectID looks up.
algorithmname is the algorithm name that objectID looks up.
displayname displays the name to store in DS.
delete deletes the display name.
LanguageId is the language ID value (defaults to current: 1033).
Type is the type of DS object to create, including:
1 - Template (default)
2 - Issuance Policy
3 - Application Policy
-f creates a DS object.
Displays the message text associated with an error code.
certutil [options] -error errorcode
Displays a registry value.
certutil [options] -getreg [{ca | restore | policy | exit | template | enroll |chain | policyservers}\[progID\]][registryvaluename]
Where:
ca uses a Certificate Authority's registry key.
restore uses Certificate Authority's restore registry key.
policy uses the policy module's registry key.
exit uses the first exit module's registry key.
template uses the template registry key (use -user for user templates).
enroll uses the enrollment registry key (use -user for user context).
chain uses the chain configuration registry key.
policyservers uses the Policy Servers registry key.
progID uses the policy or exit module's ProgID (registry subkey name).
registryvaluename uses the registry value name (use Name* to prefix match).
value uses the new numeric, string or date registry value or filename. If a numeric value starts with + or -, the bits specified in the new value are set or cleared in the existing registry value.
[-f] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-config Machine\CAName]
If a string value starts with + or -, and the existing value is a REG_MULTI_SZ value, the string is added to or removed from the existing registry value. To force creation of a REG_MULTI_SZ value, add \n to the end of the string value.
If the value starts with \@, the rest of the value is the name of the file containing the hexadecimal text representation of a binary value. If it doesn't refer to a valid file, it's instead parsed as [Date][+|-][dd:hh] - an optional date plus or minus optional days and hours. If both are specified, use a plus sign (+) or minus sign (-) separator. Use now+dd:hh for a date relative to the current time.
Use chain\chaincacheresyncfiletime \@now to effectively flush cached CRLs.
Sets a registry value.
certutil [options] -setreg [{ca | restore | policy | exit | template | enroll |chain | policyservers}\[progID\]]registryvaluename value
Where:
ca uses a Certificate Authority's registry key.
restore uses Certificate Authority's restore registry key.
policy uses the policy module's registry key.
exit uses the first exit module's registry key.
template uses the template registry key (use -user for user templates).
enroll uses the enrollment registry key (use -user for user context).
chain uses the chain configuration registry key.
policyservers uses the Policy Servers registry key.
progID uses the policy or exit module's ProgID (registry subkey name).
registryvaluename uses the registry value name (use Name* to prefix match).
value uses the new numeric, string or date registry value or filename. If a numeric value starts with + or -, the bits specified in the new value are set or cleared in the existing registry value.
[-f] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-config Machine\CAName]
If a string value starts with + or -, and the existing value is a REG_MULTI_SZ value, the string is added to or removed from the existing registry value. To force creation of a REG_MULTI_SZ value, add \n to the end of the string value.
If the value starts with \@, the rest of the value is the name of the file containing the hexadecimal text representation of a binary value. If it doesn't refer to a valid file, it's instead parsed as [Date][+|-][dd:hh] - an optional date plus or minus optional days and hours. If both are specified, use a plus sign (+) or minus sign (-) separator. Use now+dd:hh for a date relative to the current time.
Use chain\chaincacheresyncfiletime \@now to effectively flush cached CRLs.
Deletes a registry value.
certutil [options] -delreg [{ca | restore | policy | exit | template | enroll |chain | policyservers}\[progID\]][registryvaluename]
Where:
ca uses a Certificate Authority's registry key.
restore uses Certificate Authority's restore registry key.
policy uses the policy module's registry key.
exit uses the first exit module's registry key.
template uses the template registry key (use -user for user templates).
enroll uses the enrollment registry key (use -user for user context).
chain uses the chain configuration registry key.
policyservers uses the Policy Servers registry key.
progID uses the policy or exit module's ProgID (registry subkey name).
registryvaluename uses the registry value name (use Name* to prefix match).
value uses the new numeric, string or date registry value or filename. If a numeric value starts with + or -, the bits specified in the new value are set or cleared in the existing registry value.
[-f] [-user] [-grouppolicy] [-config Machine\CAName]
If a string value starts with + or -, and the existing value is a REG_MULTI_SZ value, the string is added to or removed from the existing registry value. To force creation of a REG_MULTI_SZ value, add \n to the end of the string value.
If the value starts with \@, the rest of the value is the name of the file containing the hexadecimal text representation of a binary value. If it doesn't refer to a valid file, it's instead parsed as [Date][+|-][dd:hh] - an optional date plus or minus optional days and hours. If both are specified, use a plus sign (+) or minus sign (-) separator. Use now+dd:hh for a date relative to the current time.
Use chain\chaincacheresyncfiletime \@now to effectively flush cached CRLs.
Imports user keys and certificates into the server database for key archival.
certutil [options] -importKMS userkeyandcertfile [certID]
Where:
userkeyandcertfile is a data file with user private keys and certificates that are to be archived. This file can be:
An Exchange Key Management Server (KMS) export file.
A PFX file.
certID is a KMS export file decryption certificate match token. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.
-f imports certificates not issued by the Certificate Authority.
[-f] [-silent] [-split] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p password] [-symkeyalg symmetrickeyalgorithm[,keylength]]
Imports a certificate file into the database.
certutil [options] -importcert certfile [existingrow]
Where:
existingrow imports the certificate in place of a pending request for the same key.
-f imports certificates not issued by the Certificate Authority.
[-f] [-config Machine\CAName]
The Certificate Authority may also need to be configured to support foreign certificates. To do this, type import - certutil -setreg ca\KRAFlags +KRAF_ENABLEFOREIGN.
Retrieves an archived private key recovery blob, generates a recovery script, or recovers archived keys.
certutil [options] -getkey searchtoken [recoverybloboutfile]
certutil [options] -getkey searchtoken script outputscriptfile
certutil [options] -getkey searchtoken retrieve | recover outputfilebasename
Where:
script generates a script to retrieve and recover keys (default behavior if multiple matching recovery candidates are found, or if the output file is not specified).
retrieve retrieves one or more Key Recovery Blobs (default behavior if exactly one matching recovery candidate is found, and if the output file is specified). Using this option truncates any extension and appends the certificate-specific string and the .rec extension for each key recovery blob. Each file contains a certificate chain and an associated private key, still encrypted to one or more Key Recovery Agent certificates.
recover retrieves and recovers private keys in one step (requires Key Recovery Agent certificates and private keys). Using this option truncates any extension and appends the .p12 extension. Each file contains the recovered certificate chains and associated private keys, stored as a PFX file.
searchtoken selects the keys and certificates to be recovered, including:
recoverybloboutfile outputs a file with a certificate chain and an associated private key, still encrypted to one or more Key Recovery Agent certificates.
outputscriptfile outputs a file with a batch script to retrieve and recover private keys.
outputfilebasename outputs a file base name.
[-f] [-unicodetext] [-silent] [-config Machine\CAName] [-p password] [-protectto SAMnameandSIDlist] [-csp provider]
Recover an archived private key.
certutil [options] -recoverkey recoveryblobinfile [PFXoutfile [recipientindex]]
[-f] [-user] [-silent] [-split] [-p password] [-protectto SAMnameandSIDlist] [-csp provider] [-t timeout]
Merges PFX files.
certutil [options] -mergePFX PFXinfilelist PFXoutfile [extendedproperties]
Where:
PFXinfilelist is a comma-separated list of PFX input files.
PFXoutfile is the name of the PFX output file.
extendedproperties includes any extended properties.
[-f] [-user] [-split] [-p password] [-protectto SAMnameAndSIDlist] [-csp provider]
The password specified on the command line must be a comma-separated password list.
If more than one password is specified, the last password is used for the output file. If only one password is provided or if the last password is *, the user will be prompted for the output file password.
Converts a PFX file into an EPF file.
certutil [options] -convertEPF PFXinfilelist PFXoutfile [cast | cast-] [V3CAcertID][,salt]
Where:
PFXinfilelist is a comma-separated list of PFX input files.
PFXoutfile is the name of the PFX output file.
EPF is the name of the EPF output file.
cast uses CAST 64 encryption.
cast- uses CAST 64 encryption (export)
V3CAcertID is the V3 CA certificate match token. For more info, see the -store parameter in this article.
salt is the EPF output file salt string.
[-f] [-silent] [-split] [-dc DCName] [-p password] [-csp provider]
The password specified on the command line must be a comma-separated password list.
If more than one password is specified, the last password is used for the output file. If only one password is provided or if the last password is *, the user will be prompted for the output file password.
Displays the list of parameters.
certutil -?
certutil <name_of_parameter> -?
certutil -? -v
Where:
-? displays the full list of parameters
-<name_of_parameter> -? displays help content for the specified parameter.
-? -v displays a full list of parameters and options.
This section defines all of the options you're able to specify, based on the command. Each parameter includes information about which options are valid for use.
| Options | Description |
|---|---|
| -nullsign | Use the hash of the data as a signature. |
| -f | Force overwrite. |
| -enterprise | Use the local machine enterprise registry certificate store. |
| -user | Use the HKEY_CURRENT_USER keys or certificate store. |
| -GroupPolicy | Use the group policy certificate store. |
| -ut | Display user templates. |
| -mt | Display machine templates. |
| -Unicode | Write redirected output in Unicode. |
| -UnicodeText | Write output file in Unicode. |
| -gmt | Display times using GMT. |
| -seconds | Display times using seconds and milliseconds. |
| -silent | Use the silent flag to acquire crypt context. |
| -split | Split embedded ASN.1 elements, and save to files. |
| -v | Provide more detailed (verbose) information. |
| -privatekey | Display password and private key data. |
| -pin PIN | Smart card PIN. |
| -urlfetch | Retrieve and verify AIA Certs and CDP CRLs. |
| -config Machine\CAName | Certificate Authority and computer name string. |
| -policyserver URLorID | Policy Server URL or ID. For selection U/I, use -policyserver. For all Policy Servers, use -policyserver * |
| -anonymous | Use anonymous SSL credentials. |
| -kerberos | Use Kerberos SSL credentials. |
| -clientcertificate clientcertID | Use X.509 Certificate SSL credentials. For selection U/I, use -clientcertificate. |
| -username username | Use named account for SSL credentials. For selection U/I, use -username. |
| -cert certID | Signing certificate. |
| -dc DCName | Target a specific Domain Controller. |
| -restrict restrictionlist | Comma-separated Restriction List. Each restriction consists of a column name, a relational operator and a constant integer, string or date. One column name may be preceded by a plus or minus sign to indicate the sort order. For example: requestID = 47, +requestername >= a, requestername, or -requestername > DOMAIN, Disposition = 21 |
| -out columnlist | Comma-separated column list. |
| -p password | Password |
| -protectto SAMnameandSIDlist | Comma-separated SAM name/SID list. |
| -csp provider | Provider |
| -t timeout | URL fetch timeout in milliseconds. |
| -symkeyalg symmetrickeyalgorithm[,keylength] | Name of the Symmetric Key Algorithm with optional key length. For example: AES,128 or 3DES |
For some more examples about how to use this command, see