---
type: concept
title: Outlook Certificate Import
tags: [outlook, smime, pki, encryption]
related: [email-zertifikate, nutzerzertifikate]
created: 2026-06-30
updated: 2026-06-30
sources: ["output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_allgemein_dfn_pki_zertifikate_nutzerzertifikat_outl.md"]
---
# Outlook Certificate Import

The **Outlook Certificate Import** is the process of integrating a user's PKI certificate and private key into Microsoft Outlook to enable S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) for email signing and encryption.

## Technical Implementation
To import a certificate, users navigate to the **Trust Center** under **Email Security** settings. The process requires a certificate file in `.p12` or `.pfx` format.

### Configuration Steps
1. **Import:** Use the "Import/Export" function to upload the certificate file.
2. **Private Key Protection:** The private key should be protected with a password.
3. **Hash Algorithm:** The recommended security setting is to use **SHA256** as the hash algorithm.

## Signing vs. Encryption
There is a functional distinction in how Outlook handles these two security features:
- **Digital Signatures:** Can be configured for automatic application to all outgoing messages, allowing recipients to verify the authenticity of the sender.
- **Encryption:** Must be manually selected for each specific email via the `Options` $\rightarrow$ `Encrypt` menu during the composition phase.

This process is a practical application of [[email-zertifikate]] and [[nutzerzertifikate]] provided by the [[universitatsrechenzentrum-urz]].