Problem

How do I check my personal certificates in Internet Explorer?

Solution

1. In the Internet Explorer window, click on Tools and then Internet Options at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
   
   Note: Depending on the version of Internet Explorer, Tools could be at the top or at the top right.


2. In the new window that appears, click on the Content tab at the top in the middle of the other tabs.


3. Click on the Certificates button near the middle of the window.

Another window appears.  In this window, you can see all the certificates currently on your machine.  This list of certificates also includes what is trusted by Internet Explorer.

Personal Certificates - these are the certificates that you have both private and public key to.  These certificates could be used for a number of things, such as sign email, decrypt messages, access website, etc.  What these certificates do are defined by the key usage.

Other People - These are the certificates that you computer has stored, yet does not have the private key to.

Intermediate Certification Authorities - These are the certificates that chain up to a higher root certificate.
Note: You do not require the intermediate certificate of every certificate.  The certificate trust is defined by the Root certificates in your trust list.

Trusted Root Certification Authorities - These are the Root Certificates that Internet Explorer trusts.  Any personal certificate that falls underneath any of these roots will be trusted (unless the certificate is revoked or expired).  This also applies to websites that have an SSL certificate installed.