CkPython

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.

Chilkat CkPython Downloads

Download Chilkat for CkPython

CkPython

import sys
import chilkat

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.CkPrivateKey()

#  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):
    print(privKey.lastErrorText())
    sys.exit()

print("Loaded a " + privKey.keyType() + " private key.")