If multiple certificates are exported and saved as PKCS #7 files, or if some time has passed since the file was created, it may not be obvious what certificates a PKCS #7 file contains. The following procedure allows you to inspect the certificates contained in a PKCS #7 file.

Users or local Administrators is the minimum group membership required to complete this procedure. Review the details in "Additional considerations" in this topic.

To view the certificates in a PKCS #7 file

  1. Open Windows Explorer.

  2. Locate the PKCS #7 file that contains the certificates you want to view.

  3. In the details pane, double-click the PKCS #7 file.

  4. In the console tree, double-click the folder containing the PKCS #7 file, and then click Certificates. The certificates contained in the PKCS #7 file are displayed in the details pane.

Additional considerations

  • A PKCS #7 file typically has a .p7b file name extension, but this is not always the case. As with any other data file, the creator of the file has control over the name and whether or not the .p7b extension is used.

  • To open the Certificates snap-in, see Add the Certificates Snap-in to an MMC.

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