Windows Desktop Application Program: Certificate Requirements

Question

Windows Desktop Application Program: Certificate Requirements

Henri Hein 21

We are looking to use the Windows Desktop Application Program with our application. When I have used this in the past, there had been some requirements for the code signing certificate used. As I recall, it had to be from VeriSign. I don't remember if it had to be an extended validation certificate, or if a vanilla certificate worked. In the meantime, VeriSign sold its certificate products to Symantec. Before plunking down the cost for the certificate, we prefer to get one known to work with the Desktop Application Program. Can anyone tell me what the current requirements are?

Xiaopo Yang - MSFT 12,731 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2021-07-12T06:32:47.74+00:00

I want to ask How did you know the code signing certificate had to be from VeriSign.
Henri Hein 21 Reputation points

2021-07-12T16:34:59.007+00:00

Trial and error. When we tried using the process with a certificate that was not VeriSign, it failed. There were some forum posts where you could see other users having the same problem and suggesting using VeriSign, but there was nothing in the Microsoft documentation about it.

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Xiaopo Yang - MSFT 12,731 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2021-07-12T06:32:47.74+00:00

I want to ask How did you know the code signing certificate had to be from VeriSign.
Henri Hein 21 Reputation points

2021-07-12T16:34:59.007+00:00

Trial and error. When we tried using the process with a certificate that was not VeriSign, it failed. There were some forum posts where you could see other users having the same problem and suggesting using VeriSign, but there was nothing in the Microsoft documentation about it.

Answer 1

Xiaopo Yang - MSFT 12,731 Microsoft External Staff

I have not seen The Certificate Requirements Which Must be from VeriSign In the Windows Desktop Application Program Document.
According To The Following Answers Of The SO Question, It's Useable to Generate a certificate using Makecert Except Certificates generated with makecert are normally used for development and testing, not production. And Test First Makecert.
Otherwise, Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps You can use Any Commercial Certificates.

Henri Hein 21 Reputation points

2021-07-12T16:13:58.08+00:00

Thanks for the answer. In the past, a self-issued certificate using Makecert definitely would not have worked with the Windows Desktop Application Program (formerly winqual).

In the meantime, I found this article from DigiCert, where they claim their certificates work with the Microsoft program. I would still like to hear if anyone has had recent experience with this, but baring other information, we will probably go that route.

Thanks again.

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Windows Desktop Application Program: Certificate Requirements

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