Feb 29, 2024

EV Code Signing for Windows 7 and 8

Prerequisites

• GlobalSign Extended Validation Code Signing Certificate Installed onto a hardware token.
• Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) For Windows 8.1
• Cross Certificate(s):
  • EV Code Signing certificates will require the R1-R3 Cross Certificate –
• Ensure the CA Certificates (Root & Intermediate) are Installed onto the Token along with the EV Code Signing Certificate for a Trusted Signature
• Note:The R1-R3 Cross Certificate will need to be installed on the signing computer but not specified as an additional certificate during the signing procedure

Important SignTool Options

• ac  -  Specify an Additional Certificate.
• /a  -  Automatically selects the best certificate to sign the file from your  Windows Certificate Store.
• /fd SHA256  -  Specify the file digest algorithm used in creating file signatures.
• /n "Certificate Common Name" Specifies the certificate to sign the file from your Windows Certificate Store using the certificate common name.
• /t  -  Specify a Microsoft Authenticode compatible time stamp server.
• /tr  -  Specify an RFC 3161 compliant trusted time stamp server.*Recommended*
• /td SHA256  -  Must be called after "/tr", this command specifies the TimeStamp digest Algorithm. *Recommended*
• /sha1 Hash  - Used to select the signing certificate by the SHA-1 Hash (Thumbprint).

Note: Timestamping your Code is extremely important and is highly recommended for every piece of code that you sign. This timestamp will allow the file that you sign to remain valid long after the certificate itself has expired.

Procedure

You can watch the following video for a tutorial. 

Or, you can check the step by step guidelines below.

1. You can either sign files out of a working directory, or you can place them in your Windows SDK\bin folder.
2. Open the Command Prompt: Windows 7: Start > Run > cmd, or for Windows 8, press the Windows Key, then type cmd and press enter.
3. Navigate to the directory with signtool.exe.
4. Use the following command to sign your file:
   signtool sign /a /tr http://timestamp.globalsign.com/tsa/r6advanced1 /td SHA256 c:/path/to/your/file.exe
5. Enter your Token Password. If the signing is successful you will see a prompt informing you so.
6. To verify the successful signature use the following commands:
   Authenticode: signtool verify /v /pa
   Kernel Driver Signing: signtool verify /v /kp

You may also verify the signature within the properties of the file, under the Digital Signatures tab.