Details Tab

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

Using the Certificates snap-in, you can view information about the fields, extensions, and properties that define an issued certificate by double-clicking any certificate displayed in the certificate store. The following fields, extensions, and properties can be viewed using Certificates:

The Details dialog box provides the following information about the certificate:

  • Version: The X.509 version number.

  • Serial number: The unique serial number that the issuing certification authority assigns to the certificate. The serial number is unique for all certificates issued by a given certification authority.

  • Signature algorithm: The hash algorithm that the certification authority uses to digitally sign the certificate.

  • Issuer: Information regarding the certification authority that issued the certificate.

  • Valid from: The beginning date for the period in which the certificate is valid.

  • Valid to: The final date for the period in which the certificate is valid.

  • Subject: The name of the individual, computer, device, or certification authority to whom the certificate is issued. If the issuing certification authority exists on a domain member server in your enterprise, this will be a distinguished name within the enterprise. Otherwise, this may be a full name and e-mail name or some other personal identifier.

  • Public key: The public key type and length associated with the certificate.

  • Thumbprint algorithm: The hash algorithm that generates a digest of data (or thumbprint) for digital signatures.

  • Thumbprint: The digest (or thumbprint) of the certificate data.

  • Friendly name: (Optional) A friendly, or common, name for the name in the Subject field.

  • Enhanced key usage: (Optional) The purposes for which this certificate can be used.

There are additional possible X.509v3 extensions that could be in a certificate. If they are present, they will be displayed as well.

Additional references

Certificate Validity Periods

Hash Algorithms

Cryptographic Service Providers

Guidelines for Using Alternate Signature Formats