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Microsoft Windows Code Signing Certificates
Digitally sign your Windows software using a Microsoft code signing certificate for as little as $195 per year (save 19%).
Digitally signing your Windows software removes the “Unknown Publisher” warnings seen when a user installs your software. It also protects your reputation as a developer or publisher and makes your apps eligible for distribution through the Microsoft Store.
Code signing your products gives your customers or other users peace of mind in knowing that your software can be trusted
Looking for a code signing certificate for Windows applications? We’ll help you compare Windows-trusted code signing certificates to identify the right one for your software project.
There Are Two Types of Code Signing Certificates:
Standard vs Extended Validation
Windows code signing certificates come in two main varieties:
Standard (OV) code signing certificates
These certificates sign software that runs on Windows operating systems. They require verification of your digital identity or your organizational identity through a validation process. They’re good for private publishers, developers, as well as those who work for an organization (they just have different validation processes.)
Extended validation (EV) code signing certificates
These certificates are required for signing Windows kernel-mode drivers. They’re also trusted by Microsoft SmartScreen to get rid of the blue “Windows protected your PC” security popup. To get one, your organization must undergo a comprehensive validation process by the issuing certification authority (CA).
Not sure whether you need a standard or EV code signing certificate for Windows apps? Click the table tabs to compare.
Compare Windows Code Signing Certificates
Choose Validation Type
 Get the lowest price on a trusted code signing certificate that works for your needs. 100% guaranteed. |  MSRP$512.00/yr$374.66Per year |  MSRP$266.00/yr$211.46Per year |  MSRP$266.00/yr$211.46Per year |  MSRP$242.25/yr$195.00Per year | MSRP$687.75/yr$372.69Per year |
| Product | Digicert Code Signing | Sectigo Code Signing | Comodo Code Signing | GoGetSSL Code Signing | GoGetSSL Cloud Signing |
| Validation Type | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Insuance Time | 1-4 Days | 4-8 Days | 4-8 Days | 1-4 Days | 1-4 Days |
| Removes Unknown Publisher Warning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Removes Microsoft SmartScreen Warnings | No | No | No | No | No |
| Trusted for Driver Signing/Windows Developer Center | No | No | No | No | No |
| Type of Included Secure Key Storage Hardware | USB device | USB device | USB device | USB device | Integrated HSM |
Get the lowest price on a trusted code signing certificate that works for your needs. 100% guaranteed. | MSRP$717.00/yr$524.66Per year | MSRP$349.00/yr$277.71Per year | MSRP$349.00/yr$277.71Per year | MSRP$284.25/yr$250.00Per year | MSRP$871.60/yr$469.11Per year |
| Product | Digicert EV Code Signing | Sectigo EV Code Signing | Comodo EV Code Signing | GoGetSSL EV Code Signing | GoGetSSL EV Cloud Signing |
| Validation Type | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Insuance Time | 1-5 Days | 5-10 Days | 5-10 Days | 1-5 Days | 1-4 Days |
| Removes Unknown Publisher Warning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Removes Microsoft SmartScreen Warnings | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trusted for Driver Signing/Windows Developer Center | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Type of Included Secure Key Storage Hardware | USB device | USB device | USB device | USB device | Integrated HSM |
Getting a Code Signing Certificate for Windows Apps Doesn’t Have to Be a Burden
Buying and using a Windows code signing certificate should be a straightforward process that shouldn’t give you a headache or burn a hole through your wallet. At CodeSigningStore.com, we partner with global CAs to make the process easy and affordable:
- Lower pricing on code signing certificates and management solutions
- Faster certificate issuance times
- Access to technical guidance blog posts and other resources
- Greater enrollment options
- 24/7 technical support
What Is a Microsoft Windows Code Signing Certificate?
A Microsoft Windows code signing certificate is a tool for Windows publishers who want to protect their software or code against unauthorized alterations. The code signing process assures end-users that the Windows software they install is legitimate and hasn’t been modified.
A Windows code signing certificate is designed to secure software and code for Windows operating systems. This way, users’ browsers and operating systems can inform them whether your software has been altered since it was digitally signed. Microsoft strongly encourages (or, in some cases, requires) software publishers to use code signing because it protects end users against various cyber threats.
This digital certificate is issued by a publicly trusted certificate authority and is trusted by Microsoft Windows (meaning that the CA’s root certificates are stored in the Windows root store) because the CA meets stringent security guidelines and audits.
Note: Third-party CAs often issue Windows code signing certificates; they’re not only issued by Microsoft’s CA.
Microsoft Windows Code Signing Resources
Microsoft Office and VBA Code Signing
Learn how to digitally sign macro projects in Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, and other Office programs using Visual Basic.
Guide on Code Signing Certificates for Visual Studio
This resource will familiarize you with how signing software packages in Visual Studio works
How to Become a Verified Publisher with Microsoft
This resource will familiarize you with how signing software packages in Visual Studio works
How to Sign an MSI File or Installer Package With a Code Signing Certificate in SignTool
Explore how to digitally signing a Microsoft software installation file or package ensures it’s trusted outside your organization.
Why You Should Always Sign Windows Applications
Signing your Microsoft apps prior to distribution and any subsequent updates helps to:
- Prove your verified digital identity,
- Inform users when your software or code has been compromised after being signed,
- Increase user trust in your brand and products, and
- Increase software download and update application rates.
Ensure Your Software and Drivers Are Trusted Automatically by Windows Defender
No software developer or publisher wants their products to trigger warnings like “unknown publisher” or “Windows SmartScreen prevented an unknown app from starting.”
To avoid these Windows Defender eyesores, digitally sign your software using a Microsoft code signing certificate. A standard code signing certificate will allow your verified organizational information to display in the Publisher field. However, signing your software using an extended validation code signing certificate will eliminate this Windows Defender SmartScreen warning altogether.
Sign Your Microsoft Windows Drivers With Ease
Looking to sign Windows drivers? For Windows Vista and later versions of Windows OS, kernel-mode drivers and protected media software must be digitally signed.
Once you’re ready to go to production and distribute your driver, you’ll need to:
- Sign the driver using a publicly trusted EV code signing certificate, and
- Get a Windows certification for the driver.
You will need to sign your driver prior to distribution through the Windows Hardware Dev Center. However, to do so, you must first register a publicly trusted EV code signing certificate with the Center; otherwise, the drivers won’t be trusted by Windows operating systems.
All of the EV code signing certificates we sell at CodeSigningStore.com are trusted by Microsoft and will work for driver signing.
Why Choose an EV code signing certificate?
Extended Validation code signing certificates meet Microsoft’s stringent security standards and will give your software automatic trust on Windows platforms.
Standard Validation
Code Signing Certificates
Average
Individual developers
and organizations
1-3 Days
No
Only drivers earlier
than Windows 10
Stored on an external physical device
Physical Mail
Individual developers
Photo ID and telephone number
Organizations
Business registration and published
telephone number (photo ID required for
Comodo/Sectigo)
VS.
Level of Security
Issued To
Issuance Time
Trusted by MS SmartScreen?
Microsoft
Windows Signing
Private Key
Delivery Method
Required info/
Paperwork
Extended Validation
Code Signing Certificates
High
Only businesses
and organizations
1-5 Days
Yes
Windows 10+ drivers and kernel-mode
drivers
Stored on an external physical device
Physical Mail
Organizations
Business registration, physical office address, operational history
(years in business), and published telephone number. (Enrollment
forms required for Comodo/Sectigo.)
How to Sign Software Using a Windows Code Signing Certificate
Once you have your certificate in hand, you can put it to use by signing Windows software and code. Here are a few resources to help you get started:
How to Install a Code Signing Certificate on Windows
This step-by-step look will walk you through the process of installing a code signing certificate on a Windows 10 computer.
How to Code Sign With Microsoft Authenticode Code Signing
This article walks you through the process of signing code for Microsoft apps.
How to Sign an EXE or DLL in Visual Studio 2022 Using SignTool
This step-by-step guide demonstrates how you can sign executables and dynamic link library files with ease using Microsoft Visual Studio 2022.
What Is Microsoft SignTool & How Can I Use It to Sign Executables?
Go through the process of signing an executable using Microsoft SDK’s SignTool.
Get your certificate issued faster with our validation concierge.
Let one of our code signing experts help you fast-track your paperwork so you can get validated sooner.
- We’ll help you identify the simplest paperwork option for your country and get the necessary forms completed and submitted for validation
- Have a question about the code signing process? Our support team is ready to help you 24/7 via phone, chat, or email.
- Hit a problem with the validation process? One of our code signing experts will help you troubleshoot the issue and fix it as quickly as possible.
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Email Us
+ 1(727) 291-0611
Jacqueline SherrillValidation Concierge Agent
