Cannot Import Intermediate-Level Certificates in Internet Explorer 4.x (278222)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 98 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 95 SP 1
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 95 SP 2
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 95

This article was previously published under Q278222

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to import an intermediate-level digital certificate through a program or through a registry, you may receive either of the following error messages:
The selected file does not contain a valid certificate or the certificate is not a root authority.
Or,
Internet Explorer was unable to import this certificate.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur because Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x cannot import intermediate certificates that have been created on a Microsoft Windows 2000-based certificate server. Internet Explorer 4.x does not understand the new Windows 2000 certificate chain or validation format.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, you must upgrade your computer to Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 or later. To obtain the latest version of Internet Explorer, go to the following Microsoft Web site:

MORE INFORMATION

You cannot import an intermediate certificate in Internet Explorer 4.x from the graphical user interface (GUI) nor can you force the intermediate certificate into the registry.

The certificate format and validation path has changed and has been improved in Internet Explorer 5.0.

The certificate validation algorithms are not going to be modified on versions of Internet Explorer older than 4.x.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/14/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB278222