How to Reset Windows Cryptographic Services Windows 8.1
In Windows 8.1, cryptographic services play a crucial role in ensuring the security and integrity of your system. However, at times, these services may encounter issues that hinder their proper functioning. Resetting Windows cryptographic services can help resolve such problems and restore the functionality of your system. In this article, we will guide you through the process of resetting Windows cryptographic services on Windows 8.1.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
To begin the process, you need to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Press the “Windows” key on your keyboard.
2. Type “cmd” in the search box and right-click on “Command Prompt” from the search results.
3. Select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
Step 2: Disable Cryptographic Services
Once you have opened Command Prompt as an administrator, you need to disable the cryptographic services. To do this, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
net stop cryptSvc
“`
Step 3: Delete the Certificates Store
Next, you need to delete the certificates store to reset the cryptographic services. To do this, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
rd /s /q %SystemRoot%\System32\certificates
“`
Step 4: Delete the Machine Keys Store
Now, you need to delete the machine keys store. Type the following command and press Enter:
“`
rd /s /q %SystemRoot%\System32\config\systemprofile\AppData\LocalLow\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\MachineKeys
“`
Step 5: Enable Cryptographic Services
After deleting the certificates and machine keys stores, you need to enable the cryptographic services. Type the following command and press Enter:
“`
net start cryptSvc
“`
Step 6: Restart Your Computer
Finally, to ensure that the changes take effect, restart your computer. To do this, type the following command and press Enter:
“`
shutdown /r /t 0
“`
Your computer will now restart, and the Windows cryptographic services will be reset. This process should resolve any issues you were facing with the cryptographic services on your Windows 8.1 system.
Conclusion
Resetting Windows cryptographic services on Windows 8.1 can be a helpful solution to fix various issues related to these services. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily reset the cryptographic services and restore the functionality of your system. If you encounter any further problems, consider seeking assistance from a professional or referring to Microsoft’s official support resources.
