CTLInfo

CTLInfo is a handy little software that helps you quickly check out the complete list of Windows root certificates. You might know that there's a Certificate Manager where you can look at some certificates, but it only shows a few of them. CTLInfo gives you the full picture!

What Are Root Certificates?

Root certificates are like the first line of defense for your online security. They confirm that the communication you’re having is real and hasn’t been messed with. Usually, when you send messages between websites, people, and browsers, they get encrypted using keys from a Certificate Issuing Authority. If those keys are good to go, everything works smoothly; if not, you'll get an error saying there’s something wrong with the website's certificate.

Get Complete Certificate Info

The cool thing about CTLInfo is that it shows all certificate info side by side—both trusted and untrusted ones. When you open up the main window, it gives you a summary showing how many CTLs there are along with their file size, sequence number, and when the signer expires.

Diving Deeper into Certificate Details

If you're curious about these certificates, just hit the Details button! You'll see things like the Subject ID and a friendly name for each CTL. Right now, Windows recognizes over 170 trusted certificates—but keep in mind this number changes every week due to regular updates.

Regular Updates for Your Safety

Windows checks for trusted certificates once a week while keeping an eye on untrusted ones daily. With CTLInfo, not only can you see when these updates last happened but also when their content was modified.

Your OS Security Buddy

This tool is super helpful for keeping your operating system secure by letting you regularly check for changes in root certificates. It helps prevent apps from reaching out to potentially sketchy servers or websites! For more details or to download CTLInfo, visit Softpas!