Search code examples
outlookvstooutlook-addinadd-in

Signing/certificate VSTO Outlook plugin

I am having a hard time understanding the process of signing / certifying Outlook plugin.

The problem is that plugin works but I can't install it on all machines. On some it can be installed and on some not (it gives security alert about manifest not signed/certified). I have gone through docs but I can't say its clear for me.

What is the easiest way to fix that problem? Could someone explain it in a few, plain english, words?

Solution

  • First you want to create a non-expiring certificate for Visual Studio projects

    Type Developer Command in the Start Menu search and right click and select Run as administrator

    Start Menu

    Paste the following commands in the command prompt for MakeCert and pvk2pfx

    MakeCert /n "CN=Your New Cert" /r /h 0 /eku "1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.3,1.3.6.1.4.1.311.10.3.13" /e "01/01/2100" /sv MyNewCert.pvk MyNewCert.cer 
pvk2pfx -pvk MyNewCert.pvk -spc MyNewCert.cer -pfx MyNewCert.pfx

    Note:

    • The date format is the US standard MM/DD/YYYY
    • The -f parameter can be used at the end of the pvk2pfx line for overwriting an existing file
    • You'll get prompted to create a password (this is optional)

    cmd prompt

    After the password prompt, you'll need to run the second command line by just pressing the Enter key.

    cmd prompt2

    Now you can select the same certificate for multiple Visual Studio projects

    In the Visual Studio project properties, select Signing* click on Select from File…. Navigate to the same path from the command prompt and select the certificate file (*.pfx)

    Visual Studio Signing