CERTREQ Windows Command Guide

The Windows certreq command is a powerful tool for managing certificates. It allows users to create and submit certificate requests, retrieve and install response files, accept certificate enrollment policy information, and more. With certreq, users can generate a certificate request based on the information provided in a .inf file, submit the request to a certification authority, retrieve the resulting certificate, accept and install the certificate without manual intervention, and perform various other certificate management tasks. Certreq offers a range of options and parameters that allow users to customize and control the certificate request process. By using the certreq command effectively, users can streamline the management of certificates on their Windows systems and ensure secure and efficient certificate operations.

CERTREQ Syntax:

certreq [Options] [Parameters]

Options:

Option	Description
-accept	Accept a certificate response file
-retrieve	Retrieve a pending certificate request
-submit	Submit a certificate request file to a certification authority
-new	Create a new request file
-?	Display command usage

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
RequestFile	Specifies the request file
ResponseFile	Specifies the response file
ConfigFile	Specifies the configuration file

Caution

Exercise caution when using the certreq command, as it deals with sensitive certificate operations. Double-check all inputs and ensure that you have the necessary permissions before executing any commands. Incorrect usage can lead to security vulnerabilities or certificate issues.

CERTREQ Command Samples:

Generate a Certificate Request

certreq -new request.inf request.req

Generates a new certificate request based on the information in the request.inf file and saves it as request.req.

View the Contents of a Certificate Request

certreq -dump request.req

Displays the details and contents of the certificate request saved in the request.req file.

Submit a Certificate Request

certreq -submit -attrib "CertificateTemplate:WebServer" request.req

Submits the certificate request in the request.req file for processing, specifying it to be based on the “WebServer” template.

Install a Certificate Response

certreq -accept response123.cer

Installs the certificate response saved as response123.cer into the local computer’s certificate store.

Retrieve Pending Certificate Requests

certreq -retrieve 3

Retrieves the pending certificate request with the ID “3” from the CA server for further processing.

Tip

When using the certreq command in CMD, make sure to provide the necessary options and values based on your specific certificate request requirements. Double-check the syntax and parameters to avoid any errors in the command execution.

CERTREQ FAQ:

How do I use certreq in CMD?

To use the certreq command in CMD, execute the following command:

certreq --new C:\Path\to\Request.inf C:\Path\to\Certificate.cer

How do I submit a certificate request using certreq in CMD?

To submit a certificate request using certreq in CMD, run the following command:

certreq -submit -attrib "CertificateTemplate:TemplateName" C:\Path\to\Request.req C:\Path\to\Response.cer

How can I display the contents of a certificate request file with certreq in CMD?

To display the contents of a certificate request file using certreq in CMD, use the following command:

certreq -dump C:\Path\to\Request.req

How do I install a certificate response using certreq in CMD?

To install a certificate response using certreq in CMD, enter the following command:

certreq -install -config "ServerName\CAName" C:\Path\to\Response.cer

How can I generate a new private key and certificate request using certreq in CMD?

To generate a new private key and certificate request using certreq in CMD, use the following command:

certreq -new C:\Path\to\Request.inf C:\Path\to\NewRequest.req

How do I retrieve and install the CA certificates and root CA certificates into the system store using certreq in CMD?

To retrieve and install the CA certificates and root CA certificates into the system store with certreq in CMD, run the command below:

certreq -path -retrieve -f C:\Path\to\CAFriendlyName.crt C:\Path\to\OutputCert.cer

Applications of the CERTREQ Command

• Generate certificate requests
• Retrieve certificates from a certification authority
• Accept certificate responses and install certificates in the registry
• Create new public and private key pairs