Should I use the “Generate CertReq.exe File” or “Generate OpenSSL Request File” option?

CertReq.exe is a application installed on most Microsoft Windows computers. OpenSSL is a popular open source utility for working with certificates. If in doubt use the CertReq.exe request file for Windows computers.

I've generated and downloaded the certificate request file, now what?

If you downloaded a CertReq.exe file:

1. Open a command line to the directory you downloaded the CertificateReqest.inf file to.
2. Execute the following command (on a single line):

   Certreq.exe –New CertRequest.inf CertRequestOutput.txt

3. Open the downloaded CertRequestOutput.txt file in a text editor such as Notepad or TextPad. This text must be copied and pasted into the “Certificate Text” field when submitting a School/School Authority, Software Provider, or Ministry certificate request.

Note:The installation of the certificate returned from Alberta Education must be completed using the same user id on the same computer as the certificate request was generated.

If you downloaded an OpenSSL file:

1. Open a command line to the directory you downloaded the CertificateReqest.inf file to.
2. Generate a private key with the following command (on a single line):

   openssl genrsa -out server2048.key 2048

3. Execute the following command (on a single line):

   openssl req -batch -new -key server2048.key -out CertRequestOutput.txt -config certrequest.inf

4. Open the downloaded CertRequestOutput.txt file in a text editor such as Notepad or TextPad. This text must be copied and pasted into the “Certificate Text” field when submitting a School/School Authority, Software Provider, or Ministry certificate request.