Java

Load a Private Key from a Microsoft PVK File

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.

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import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.ChilkatException;
import com.chilkatsoft.chilkat2.PrivateKey;

public class ChilkatExample {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // 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.

        PrivateKey privKey = new PrivateKey();

        // 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";

        try {
            privKey.loadPvkFile("qa_data/private.pvk", password);
        } catch (ChilkatException e) {
            System.out.println(e.getLastErrorText());
            return;
        }

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