Tips to open PVK file
Can't open the PVK file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open PVK files as well as a list of programs that support PVK files.
PVK file extension
| File Name |
Private Key Format |
| File Developer |
Microsoft |
| File Category |
Misc Files |
The PVK file is supported on 2 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the PVK files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the PVK file on each system platform.
What is PVK file?
The PVK file has been categorized as Misc Files. It was designed by Microsoft. Misc Files consists of 6033 similar files. Private Key Format is most often found on 2 operating systems. Although it can be found with greater or lesser success on any operating system, it will only be useful on Linux, Windows. There are also 2 alternative programs to handle the PVK file. You can use Pvktool in case OpenSSL cannot be used.
How to open PVK file?
An often recurring problem with Private Key Format is that PVK is not associated with the correct program file. This is manifested by the fact that PVK files open in unusual applications or do not have an assigned program. How to solve such a problem?
The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the PVK file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.
Step 1. Install OpenSSL
The first step is to check if the computer has the OpenSSL program installed. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name OpenSSL in it. If it is not, installation may solve the problem, as most applications create file associations during installation. Below you will find a list of applications that support PVK files.
Programs to open PVK file
Remember to download programs supporting PVK files only from verified and safe sources. We suggest using the websites of software developers.
Step 2. Create association of OpenSSL with PVK files
If the application is or has been freshly installed, but the PVK file still does not use the OpenSSL program, it means no association. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the PVK file with the OpenSSL program.
Step 3. Update OpenSSL to the latest version
The fault may also lie with the OpenSSL program, it is possible that Private Key Format requires a newer version of the program.
Step 4. Check for the following problems with the PVK file
If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. The most common file problems are:
Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. Usually this applies to PVK files downloaded from the Internet in case the download did not finish properly. The only repair option is to download the file again.
The most common cause here is computer viruses. A quick virus scan using an up-to-date antivirus program should clear up any doubts. Some antivirus vendors also provide free online scanners. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the PVK file that we want to open. As a result of the scan, sometimes it is not possible to recover PVK files, which are deleted if there is a backup of this file, then after restoring it, it must also be scanned.
A typical compatibility error - the program does not support the older version of the PVK file. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for this. Depending on the type of file, it is necessary to repair it accordingly. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair PVK file corruption.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted file PVK except for the special designation, works normally, but only on the device where it was encrypted, before transferring it to another machine, decryption is required.
The operating system protects files in some locations (e.g. the root of the system partition) against unauthorized access. While there is usually no problem reading such a file, it may not be possible to save it. It is best to move PVK to a different directory.
This problem only occurs with more complex files. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. If the error persists after closing other programs, wait for a while. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If the problem persists, restart the machine.
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