Exporting a Windows Store Cert in Python: A Step-by-Step Guide

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the process, make sure you have the following:

• A Windows Store app with a valid certificate.
• Python 3.x installed on your machine (we’ll be using Python 3.8 in this example).
• The PyOpenSSL library installed (we’ll cover installation in a bit).

Installing PyOpenSSL

PyOpenSSL is a Python wrapper for the OpenSSL library, which we’ll use to export our certificate. To install it, follow these steps:

pip install pyopenssl

Exporting the Certificate

Now that we have PyOpenSSL installed, let’s get started with exporting our certificate!

Step 1: Get the Certificate Path

First, you need to get the path to your Windows Store cert. You can find this in the Windows Certificate Manager:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type certmgr.msc and press Enter.
3. In the Certificate Manager, navigate to Personal > Certificates.
4. Right-click on your Windows Store cert and select Open.
5. In the Certificate dialog, click on the Details tab.
6. Click on the Copy to File... button.
7. In the Certificate Export Wizard, select Base-64 encoded X.509 (.CER) as the file format.
8. Choose a location to save the file and note down the path.

Step 2: Load the Certificate using PyOpenSSL

Now that we have the certificate path, let’s load it using PyOpenSSL:

import os
from OpenSSL import crypto

cert_path = 'C:\\path\\to\\your\\cert.cer'
cert_file = open(cert_path, 'rb')
cert_data = cert_file.read()
cert_file.close()

cert = crypto.load_certificate(crypto.FILETYPE_PEM, cert_data)

Step 3: Export the Certificate as a PEM File

Next, we’ll export the certificate as a PEM file:

pem_cert = crypto.dump_certificate(crypto.FILETYPE_PEM, cert)

with open('cert.pem', 'wb') as f:
    f.write(pem_cert)

Step 4: Export the Private Key

If you have a private key associated with your certificate, you’ll need to export it as well:

key_path = 'C:\\path\\to\\your\\private\\key.pvk'
key_file = open(key_path, 'rb')
key_data = key_file.read()
key_file.close()

key = crypto.load_privatekey(crypto.FILETYPE_PEM, key_data)

pem_key = crypto.dump_privatekey(crypto.FILETYPE_PEM, key)

with open('key.pem', 'wb') as f:
    f.write(pem_key)

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While exporting your certificate, you might encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Conclusion

And that’s it! You’ve successfully exported your Windows Store cert using Python. Remember to keep your certificate and private key secure, as they’re essential for code signing and app publishing. If you encounter any issues, refer to the troubleshooting section or seek help from a Windows Store developer community.

By following these steps, you should now have a PEM file containing your certificate and private key. You can use this file for code signing, app publishing, or certificate management. Happy coding!

Note: The code snippets provided are for illustration purposes only and should be adapted to your specific needs. Additionally, be sure to keep your certificate and private key secure to avoid any security risks.

Frequently Asked Question

Are you struggling to export a Windows Store cert in Python? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Check out these frequently asked questions to get the help you need.