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Java

Load a Private Key from a Microsoft PVK File

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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 Java Downloads

Java
import com.chilkatsoft.*;

public class ChilkatExample {

  static {
    try {
        System.loadLibrary("chilkat");
    } catch (UnsatisfiedLinkError e) {
      System.err.println("Native code library failed to load.\n" + e);
      System.exit(1);
    }
  }

  public static void main(String argv[])
  {
    boolean 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.

    CkPrivateKey privKey = new CkPrivateKey();

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

    success = privKey.LoadPvkFile("qa_data/private.pvk",password);
    if (success == false) {
        System.out.println(privKey.lastErrorText());
        return;
        }

    System.out.println("Loaded a " + privKey.keyType() + " private key.");
  }
}