Certificates Missing After You Uninstall Internet Explorer 5 (198611)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q198611

SYMPTOMS

After you uninstall Internet Explorer 5 to return to a previous version of Internet Explorer, security certificates you added to Internet Explorer 5 may be missing.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if you chose not to export the security certificates you added to Internet Explorer 5 when you received the following prompt:

Security Warning Message: Certificates you obtained after you installed Internet Explorer 5 are removed when you remove Internet Explorer 5. To retain a certificate, click Cancel to exit the uninstall program, and then export the certificate to a file. All certificates obtained prior to installing Internet Explorer 5 will be retained.

RESOLUTION

To prevent this behavior from occurring, export the certificates you want to save, and then uninstall Internet Explorer 5:

  1. When you uninstall Internet Explorer 5, click Cancel to stop uninstalling when you receive the following prompt:

    Security Warning Message: Certificates you obtained after you installed Internet Explorer 5 are removed when you remove Internet Explorer 5. To retain a certificate, click Cancel to exit the uninstall program, and then export the certificate to a file. All certificates obtained prior to installing Internet Explorer 5 will be retained.

  2. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet Options.
  3. Click the Content tab, and then click Certificates.
  4. Click the certificate you want to save, click Export, and then follow the instructions on the screen to finish saving the certificate. Note the folder where you store the certificate.
  5. Repeat step 4 until you have exported all the certificates you want to save, and then uninstall Internet Explorer 5.
  6. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet.
  7. Click the Content tab, and then click Personal under Certificates.
  8. In the Client Authentication box, click Import, browse to the folder where you stored your exported certificates, click the certificate you want to import, and then click OK. Repeat this step until the certificates you want have been imported, and then click OK.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Note that the behavior described in this article does occur if you are running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3, but not if you are running Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:2/18/2004
Keywords:kbprb kbui KB198611
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