Windows: Generate CSR for Code or Driver Signing Certificate

To request a code signing certificate or a Windows driver signing certificate, you have to provide us a certificate signing request (CSR) generated by the machine you use to sign the code. We'll use the information in this file to validate your request and provide the information to anyone downloading your code or driver.

If you're using Windows 7 or newer you can generate the CSR through Microsoft Management Console (mmc.exe).

It's important that you generate the CSR from your local machine and not from the web server you're using to host the file.

Add certificates snap-in to MMC

1. In your Windows search feature, enter mmc, and then click it to launch the Microsoft Management Console application.
2. From File, click Add/Remove Snap-in.
3. Click Certificates and then click Add.
4. Select Computer account, and then click Next.
5. Select Local computer, and then click Finish.
6. Click OK.

Generate CSR & private key

1. In MMC, expand Certificates (Local Computer) and then Personal.
2. Right-click Certificates, and then go to the following menus: All Tasks > Advanced Operations > Create Custom Request.
3. Click Next.
4. Click Active Directory Enrollment Policy.
5. From Template, click Web Server.
6. Ensure the Request format is PKCS #10, and then click Next.
7. Click the downward-facing arrow next to Details, and then click Properties.
8. From the Type menu, select the following values, enter the corresponding Value, and then click Add:

   Type	Value
   Common name	Your business or organization's name
   Organization	Your business or organization's name
   Locality	Your business or organization's address
   State	The state where your business or organization resides
   Country	The country where your business or organization resides

9. Click the General tab, and then enter a Friendly name you can use to refer to the certificate.
10. Go to the Private Key tab, click Key type, and then select Make private key exportable.
11. Click OK, and then click Next.
12. Browse for the location where you want to save the file, enter a File Name, and then click Finish.

Your CSR is now stored in the file you saved it to on your local machine.

This process also creates a private key, which you will need to use later to create a PFX file to sign your code or driver.

Next step

• Open the CSR file in Notepad, and then use it to request your SSL certificate.