Understanding what digital certificates are
A digital certificate is an electronic signature that contains information about the identity of the parties involved in an online transaction, such as websites, servers, or even individual users. These certificates act as digital "identity cards" and, among other things, help encrypt information exchanged between your PC and websites or servers to ensure its confidentiality.
The most common type of digital certificates is SSL (Secure Socket Layer), used in HTTPS websites. Some examples of certification authorities (CAs) that issue these certificates are VeriSign, Comodo, and DigiCert.
View the certificates installed on your PC
You can view the certificates installed on your PC by accessing the certificates console at Windows. The steps to access the certificates console vary depending on your version of Windows. Here's how to do it in Windows 10 and Windows 7.
Windows 10:
- Press Windows key + S to open the search box.
- Type "cmd" and press Enter to open the command prompt.
- Now type “mmc” and press Enter to open the Microsoft Management Console.
- In the Microsoft Management Console, go to File > Add or Remove Snap-in, select Certificates in the Available list, and click Add.
- Next, select Computer Account > Local Computer and click Finish.
- Click OK to close the Add/Remove Plugin window.
Windows 7:
- Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Run and type "mmc." Press Enter to open the Microsoft Management Console.
- Follow steps 4-6 described in the Windows 10 section.
Once in the certificates console, you will be able to see all the certificates installed on your PC organized into folders according to their purpose and type.
Export and import certificates
In certain cases, you may need to export a certificate from your PC, either for backup or to transfer it to another computer. To do this, follow these steps:
- In the certificate console, expand the Personal folder and select the certificate you want to export.
- Right-click and select All Tasks > Export.
- Follow the instructions in the Certificate Export Wizard that appears.
To import a certificate, follow these steps:
- In the certificate console, expand the Personal folder and right-click.
- Select All Tasks > Import.
- Follow the instructions in the Certificate Import Wizard that appears.
Delete obsolete or unwanted certificates
Removing obsolete or unwanted certificates is essential to keeping your PC secure and optimizing performance. To delete a certificate:
- In the certificate console, expand the Personal folder and select the certificate you want to delete.
- Right-click and select Delete.
- A confirmation dialog box will appear. Click OK to delete the certificate.
Be sure to carefully review the certificate before deleting it, as some certificates are essential for the proper functioning of your operating system.
Update certificates
If you receive a certificate error message when visiting a website, you may need to update your certificates. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to the certificate console and expand the Personal folder.
- Select the certificate you need to update and right-click.
- Select All Tasks > Update this certificate with the Root Certification Authority.
- Follow the instructions in the wizard that appears to complete the update.
By following these steps, you will be able to successfully view and manage the installed certificates on your PC. This process will not only ensure the security and privacy of your online activities, but will also optimize the performance of your system and allow you to navigate the digital world with confidence.