How to save a certificate to a file. How to export and import private keys from a local wallet

To use the certificate on your or another computer running Windows, you need to import or export it, respectively.

Importing a certificate and private key

If someone sent you a certificate or you transferred it from one computer to another, the certificate and private key are required import before using them. Importing a certificate assumes its placement in the appropriate folder of certificates.

1. Open up Certificate manager.
2. Select the folder where you want to import the certificate. On the menu Action select item All tasks and select Import.
3. Click Next and follow the instructions.

Note: If the Certificate Import Wizard searches for a certificate using the Browse button, note that in the dialog box Open by default only X.509 certificates are displayed. If you want to import a different type of certificate, select the type in the dialog box Open.

Exporting the certificate and private key

To back up the certificate or use it on another computer, the certificate must first be export.

Export certificate involves converting the certificate into a file, which can then be transferred from one computer to another or placed somewhere safe. It is recommended to export certificates to removable media such as disk or USB flash drive.

1. Open up Certificate manager.
2. Right click on the certificate you want to export, select All tasks and select the command Export.
3. In the Certificate Export Wizard, click Next.
4. If you are using the certificate on a different computer, click Yes, export the private key (if not, select No, do not export the private key) and click Next. (This option appears only if the private key is allowed to export and you have access to it.)
5. Select the format you want and click Next.

   Note: Choosing the correct format will depend on how the certificate will be used. For example, for a certificate with a private key, choose the Personal Information Exchange format. If you need to move multiple certificates from one computer to another in one file, you should choose the Cryptographic Message Syntax standard. If the certificate will be used on multiple operating systems, choose a DER encoded X.509 format.

6. To export the private key, enter the password to encrypt the key, confirm and click the button.
7. A file will be created that stores the certificate. Enter the file name and location (full path), or click Browse to navigate to the desired location and enter the file name.
8. Click the Finish button.

If a flash drive or a floppy disk is used for work, copying can be performed using Windows tools (this method is suitable for CryptoPro CSP versions not lower than 3.0). The folder with the private key (and the certificate file, if any) must be placed in the root of the flash drive (floppy disk). It is recommended not to change the folder name when copying.

The private key folder must contain 6 files with the extension .key. Below is an example of the contents of such a folder.

Copying of the container can also be performed using the CryptoPro CSP encryption provider. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select Start / Control Panel / CryptoPro CSP.

2. Go to the Service tab and click on the Copy button. (see fig. 1).

Rice. 1. Window "Properties of CryptoPro CSP"

3. In the window Copying the private key container push the button Overview(see fig. 2).

Rice. 2. Copying the private key container

4. Select a container from the list, click on the button OK, then Further.

Rice. 3. The name of the key container

6. In the "Insert and select the storage medium for the private key container" window, you must select the medium on which the new container will be placed (see Fig. 4).

Rice. 4. Choosing a clean key carrier

7. The new container will be prompted to set a password. Setting a password is optional, you can leave the field empty and click on the button OK(see fig. 5).

Rice. 5. Setting a password for the container

When copying to media Rutoken, the message will sound differently (see fig. 6)

Rice. 6. Pin code for the container

Please note: if you lose your password / pin-code, you will not be able to use the container.

8. After copying is complete, the system will return to the Service in the window CryptoPro CSP... Copying completed. If you plan to use a new key container to work in the Kontur-Extern system, you must install a personal certificate (see How to install a personal certificate?).

For bulk copying, download and run the Certfix utility.

The increase in the number of Bitcoin forks has led many people to try to get their "free coins" in different ways, the simplest of which, as a rule, is to store coins in a local wallet, export private keys from the local Bitcoin wallet and import them into the fork wallet ... As a security measure, it is always recommended to first transfer all your bitcoins to a new address, and then export the old wallet, which contained the coins at the time of the fork from the Bitcoin Blockchain network. Thus, you will protect yourself from theft of your BTC. Given the recent addition of official SegWit support, it might be time to update your Bitcoin Core wallet, create a new SegWit-enabled address and transfer all your coins there, and then start receiving free coins from new Bitcoin forks using the private key from the old address.

How to export private keys:

• Select the "Debug window" item.
• dumpprivkey "your bitcoin address".
• Copy and save your private key.
• walletlock.

How to import private keys:

• Launch your Bitcoin Core client or another QT wallet.
• Click on the "Help" menu item at the top of the window.
• Select the "Debug window" item.
• Go to the "Console" tab To enter commands.
• Unlock your wallet (if encrypted) using the command: walletpassphrase "your wallet password" 600.
• Export private keys using the command: importkey "private key".
• Check that a new Bitcoin address has been added to the wallet.
• Block your wallet using the command: walletlock.

Be sure to import your private key as soon as you install one of the bitcoin forks wallet to receive free coins, otherwise you may need to re-sync the fork wallet. Unless you move all of your BTC cash to a different address before exporting and importing your private key into the fork wallet for free coins, you may lose all your BTC.

Keep in mind that some SCAM forks are created specifically to try to steal BTC from inattentive or lazy holders who may want to get free coins, because many people like freebies, but who are lazy enough to transfer their funds to another account. Even with popular forks, it is worth keeping an eye out and never transferring the private keys of wallets where significant funds are currently stored. After all, who knows the private key can manage the funds on the wallet.