Load a Private Key from a Microsoft PVK File

See more Private Key Examples

Demonstrates the Chilkat PrivateKey.LoadPvkFile method, which loads a private key from a Microsoft PVK file, using a password if the key is encrypted. The first argument is the file path and the second is the password.

Note: The file path is relative to the application's current working directory. Absolute paths may also be used. Supply the path to your own key file.

Background: PVK is a legacy Microsoft private-key format, historically paired with SPC certificates for Authenticode code signing. You encounter it mainly when working with older Windows toolchains; for anything new, PKCS #8 or PEM is preferable. This loader reads PVK and participates in Chilkat's content auto-detection, decrypting with the supplied password when needed.

Chilkat Go Downloads

Download Chilkat for Go

    success := false

    //  Demonstrates the PrivateKey.LoadPvkFile method, which loads a private key from a Microsoft PVK
    //  file, using a password if the key is encrypted.  The 1st argument is the file path and the 2nd
    //  is the password.  This is a Windows-oriented format.

    privKey := chilkat.NewPrivateKey()

    //  The key password is not hard-coded in a real application; obtain it from an interactive
    //  prompt, environment variable, or a secrets vault.
    password := "myKeyPassword"

    success = privKey.LoadPvkFile("qa_data/private.pvk",password)
    if success == false {
        fmt.Println(privKey.LastErrorText())
        privKey.DisposePrivateKey()
        return
    }

    fmt.Println("Loaded a ", privKey.KeyType(), " private key.")

    privKey.DisposePrivateKey()