---
type: concept
title: p12-File
tags: [file-format, security, certificates]
related: [nutzerzertifikate, thunderbird-certificate-import, outlook-certificate-import]
created: 2026-06-30
updated: 2026-06-30
sources: ["output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_allgemein_dfn_pki_zertifikate_nutzerzertifikat_thun.md"]
---
# p12-File

A **.p12** file (also known as PKCS#12) is a binary archive format used to store a user's digital certificate and its associated private key.

In the context of the Universität Greifswald's PKI services, the `.p12` file is the standard format provided to users for importing their [[nutzerzertifikate]] into email clients such as [[mozilla-thunderbird]] and Microsoft Outlook. Because it contains the private key, these files are typically password-protected.