PowerShell is a powerful and versatile scripting language that can be used to automate a variety of tasks. One of the most useful PowerShell commands is Export-Certificate, which can be used to export certificates and private keys from the Windows Certificate Store. In this guide, we’ll take a look at what Export-Certificate does, how to use it, and some tips for getting the most out of it.
What is Export-Certificate?
Export-Certificate is a Windows PowerShell command that can be used to export certificates and private keys from the Windows Certificate Store. It can be used to export certificates in a variety of formats, including PFX, PEM, and CER. It can also be used to export certificates with or without the associated private key.
Syntax and Parameters
The syntax for the Export-Certificate command is as follows:
Export-Certificate [-Cert]
The parameters for the Export-Certificate command are as follows:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| -Cert | The certificate to export. |
| -FilePath | The path to the file to which the certificate will be exported. |
| -Password | The password to use when exporting the certificate. |
| -Type | The type of file to which the certificate will be exported. Supported types are PFX, PEM, and CER. |
| -Force | Forces the command to run without prompting for confirmation. |
| -WhatIf | Shows what would happen if the command were to run. |
| -Confirm | Prompts for confirmation before running the command. |
Inputs and Outputs
The input for the Export-Certificate command is the certificate to be exported. The output is a file containing the exported certificate.
Examples
Here are some examples of how to use the Export-Certificate command:
- To export a certificate to a PFX file: Export-Certificate -Cert
-FilePath -Password -Type PFX - To export a certificate to a PEM file: Export-Certificate -Cert
-FilePath -Type PEM - To export a certificate to a CER file: Export-Certificate -Cert
-FilePath -Type CER
Tips for Using Export-Certificate
Here are some tips for getting the most out of the Export-Certificate command:
- Be sure to specify the correct type of file when exporting a certificate. Different types of files have different uses, so it’s important to make sure you’re using the right one.
- If you’re exporting a certificate with a private key, be sure to specify a password. This will help ensure that the private key is kept secure.
- If you’re exporting a certificate to a PFX file, be sure to specify the -Force parameter. This will ensure that the command runs without prompting for confirmation.
- If you’re unsure of what the command will do, use the -WhatIf parameter. This will show you what would happen if the command were to run.
- If you’re unsure of what the command will do, use the -Confirm parameter. This will prompt you for confirmation before running the command.
Conclusion
Export-Certificate is a powerful and versatile command that can be used to export certificates and private keys from the Windows Certificate Store. It can be used to export certificates in a variety of formats, including PFX, PEM, and CER. It can also be used to export certificates with or without the associated private key. With the tips and examples provided in this guide, you should have no trouble getting the most out of the Export-Certificate command.