Installing and Renewing Certificates in Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7

This page will guide you through the installation and renewal of certificates in Internet Explorer 8 on Windows 7.

NOTE: Internet Explorer 8 is not yet supported by IS&T.

Run the Certificate Tool for Internet Explorer

NOTE: If you have previously obtained an MIT personal certificate, as well as installed the MIT Certificate Authority, in Internet Explorer on this computer, you may be able to skip this step. If you're unsure, it's best to run the tool.

1. Download the Certificate Installer Tool for Internet Explorer.
   
   
2. When prompted to Run or Save the Certificate Tool, select Run.
   
   
   
3. If you are prompted about an Unknown Publisher, select Run.
   
   
   
4. If you are prompted to Allow or Cancel, select Allow.
   
   
   
5. In the Welcome window, click Next.
   
   
   
6. In the Ready to Install window, click Install.
   
   
   
7. If you do not already have the MIT Certificate Authority, two successive Security Warning windows confirm that you are adding the MIT CA and the Client CA. Click Yes in both windows.
   
   
   
8. In the Installation Complete window, click Finish.
   
   
   
9. A message is displayed stating that you may need to restart your system to get the personal certificate. Click Okay.
   
   
   
10. Restart the machine.
    
    

Install the MIT Personal Certificate

1. In Internet Explorer, navigate to http://ca.mit.edu. The following page will be displayed.
   
   
   
2. Enter your MIT identification information and click Next.
   
   
3. On the Generate a Private Key page, leave the Key Size at the highest grade for your browser. The Certificate Lifetime gives the default number of days until this personal certificate expires. Click Next to accept the defaults.
   
   
4. The Web Access Confirmation window will appear, asking if you want to request the certificate; click Yes.
   
   
   
5. The Web Access Confirmation window will appear again, asking if you want to add the certificate; click Yes.
   
   
   
6. A confirmation page indicates that the certificate is installed.

Delete Expired Certificates

1. In Internet Explorer, follow the menu path: Tools > Internet Options.
   
   
   
2. In the Internet Options window, select the Content tab.
   
   
   
3. Click Certificates.
   
   
   
4. Select the Personal tab.
   Select any duplicate or expired certificates and click Remove.
   
   
   
5. When prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
   
   
   
6. Confirm that you have one, non-expired certificate.

Having Trouble? See Troubleshooting Certificates in Internet Explorer 7 and 8 or go to