If you successfully install a digital certificate in Windows 10, it will be hosted in the Windows certificate store. Even if the certificate was deleted from the browser, it will not be deleted from the system and you can import it again through the browser.
What is the Windows certificate store?
The Windows certificate store It is a functionality of the operating system that saves all digital certificates. All data in this store is protected and secure. Within this store, there are several sub-stores that categorize certificates according to their purpose.
This makes it easier for the user to manage digital certificates. Additionally, this store can be accessed through Internet Explorer or through the Microsoft Management Console.
Where are the digital certificates
To access digital certificates, follow the following steps:
- Push the button Home located at the bottom left of your screen.
- In the search box, type “certificates” and select the option “Manage user certificates”.
- A new window will open where you can see all your certificates.
How to import and export digital certificates?
You can import and export your digital certificates for backup or use on another device. To do this, follow the process mentioned below:
- Return to the certificate management console.
- Right click on the certificate you want to export and select "All tasks" and then "To export".
- Follow the instructions in the export wizard.
To import a digital certificate, simply right-click on the certificate store and select the import option. Follow the on-screen import wizard instructions.
How to delete a digital certificate?
Deleting a digital certificate is an easy task, but you must be careful because after deleting it, you may lose access to sites or services protected by said certificate. To delete a digital certificate, simply right-click on the certificate you want to delete and select the option "Remove".
Common problems and solutions
Finally, it is worth highlighting some common problems that the management of certificates in Windows 10 can present and how to solve them:
- If the Certificate Manager does not open, it is possible that your operating system is damaged or that you do not have the necessary administrator rights.
- If you receive an error message when importing a certificate, make sure you are importing it into the correct store and that the certificate is compatible with your operating system.
In this article we have shown you where digital certificates are stored, how to access them, how to import, export or delete them and some common problems that may arise during use. Managing digital certificates in Windows 10 is simple if you know their location and how they work.
