Retrieve an SSL Thumbprint in Windows using PowerShell

A certificate thumbprint, also called a fingerprint, is a hash of a certificate. Thumbprints are used as unique identifiers for certificates, in applications when making trust decisions, in configuration files, and displayed in interfaces. Please, see how to retrieve an SSL Thumbprint in Windows using PowerShell. Please, see Fix Windows Admin Center cannot be reached, and “Get MBAM BitLocker Recovery Keys from Microsoft SQL Server“.

Due to the variety of uses for thumbprints, it is not immediately clear what, if any, their security needs are. Thumbprints are usually implemented with cryptographic hash functions and used in security applications. In some cases as an implementation technique and not as a core security mechanism.

When you need to specify claims found in a certificate for client or server authentication, you may need to submit a Thumbprint claim. This can be performed also by using MMC.

You may want to see the following articles too: How to request a certificate signing request in Windows using Microsoft Management Console, and Windows Admin Center: How to set up WAC.

Retrieve an SSL Thumbprint in Windows

From the Start Menu, Search for PowerShell. Right-click on it and select run as an Administrator

This will open up the Windows PowerShell. Run the follow cmdlets below.

Get-ChildItem -path cert:LocalMachine\My 

In the screenshot above, you will be able to see the thumbprint, copy your desired thumbprint and paste wherever you wish to make use of it.

I hope you found this blog post on how to retrieve an SSL Thumbprint in Windows using PowerShell helpful. Please let me know in the comment section if you have any questions.