After you've purchased a code or driver signing certificate, the first step is to request the certificate.
Code and driver signing certificates require you to create a certificate signing request (CSR) from your local computer — not the computer where you will host the file. Because of that, generating a CSR differs from processes for requesting a typical SSL. How you do it depends on what you're securing:
Type of Code | Visit... |
---|---|
Java | Java Code Signing: Generate a CSR |
Windows-based (EXE, DLL, etc.) | Windows: Generate CSR for code or driver signing certificate |
Be sure to request the certificate using the computer and the account (typically Administrator) you will use to sign the code. Requesting the certificate creates a private key on the computer that you must associate with the code signing certificate when you install it.