A .p7b certificate does not import correctly when you try to import it by using the Certificate Import Wizard in MMC on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista

On a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista, you try to import the .p7b format certificate by using the Certificate Import Wizard in Microsoft Management Console (MMC). However, the certificate does not import correctly. When this issue occurs, you can experience the following symptoms:

• The imported certificate does not have a private key associated with it.
• The certificate request object in the Certificate Request store remains.
• The Certificate Import Wizard completes without displaying any errors.

This problem occurs because .p7b format certificates are not decoded correctly when you import .p7b format certificates from the Certificate Import Wizard in MMC.

To resolve this problem, import the certificate by using the certreq -accept command instead of using the Certificate Import Wizard in MMC.

Example:

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.