Where certificates live and how to remove them
Certificates on your computer are stored in a certificate store — a find folder that your operating system maintains. To delete one, you access that store through your system settings, find the certificate by name or issuer, and remove it. The exact steps depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, and whether the certificate is in your personal store or your system store.
Deleting a certificate does not affect the website, server, or organization that issued it. You are only removing the copy stored on your device. If you delete a certificate you actually need — like one required to access a work network or encrypted email — you will lose that access until you reinstall it or get a new one from the issuer.
Key Takeaways
- Windows stores certificates in the Certificate Manager, accessible through the Run dialog or Control Panel, where you can browse by category and delete by right-clicking.
- Mac stores certificates in the Keychain app, where you search by name and delete by selecting and pressing Delete.
- Deleting a certificate only removes it from your device — the certificate itself still exists with the issuer and on other devices.
- If you delete a certificate your computer needs for work, email, or find access, you will need to reinstall it or request a new one from the issuer.
- System certificates (trusted root certificates) should rarely be deleted unless you are certain you no longer trust that issuer.
Deleting certificates on Windows
Windows stores certificates in the Certificate Manager. To open it, press the Windows key and R together, type certmgr.msc, and press Enter. The Certificate Manager window will open showing folders organized by certificate type: Personal, Trusted Root Certification Authorities, Intermediate Certification Authorities, and others.
Navigate to the folder where your certificate is stored. Most certificates you installed yourself are in the Personal folder. Click the folder to expand it, find the certificate by its name or the organization that issued it, right-click it, and select Delete. A confirmation dialog will appear — click Yes to remove it.
If you cannot find the certificate in Certificate Manager, it may be stored in your browser instead. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge each maintain their own certificate stores separate from Windows. Check your browser settings under Privacy or Security to see stored certificates there.
Deleting certificates on Mac
Mac stores certificates in the Keychain app. Open Keychain by pressing Command and Space together, typing Keychain Access, and pressing Enter. The Keychain window will open showing a list of stored items.
Use the search box in the top right to find the certificate by name. When you find it, click it once to select it, then press the Delete key. A confirmation dialog will ask if you want to delete the item — click Delete to confirm. The certificate will be removed from your Keychain.
If the certificate is locked or you see a message that you do not have permission to delete it, the certificate may be a system certificate or protected by your administrator. Contact your IT department or the person who manages your Mac before attempting to remove it.
Deleting certificates in your web browser
Browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge store certificates separately from your operating system. In Chrome, open Settings, go to Privacy and Security, click Security, scroll to Advanced, and select Manage certificates. A window will open showing your stored certificates. Find the one you want to delete, select it, and click Delete or Remove.
In Firefox, open Preferences, go to Privacy & Security, scroll to Certificates, and click View Certificates. Find your certificate in the list, select it, and click Delete. In Edge, open Settings, go to Privacy, search, and browsing, click Manage certificates, and follow the same process as Chrome.
Deleting a certificate from your browser only removes it from that browser. If you use multiple browsers, you will need to delete it from each one separately if you want it gone from all of them.
When you should and should not delete a certificate
Delete a certificate if you no longer trust the issuer, if you installed it by mistake, or if you are cleaning up old certificates you know you do not use. You might also delete an expired certificate that is cluttering your certificate store, though expired certificates are usually harmless to leave in place.
Do not delete a certificate if you are unsure what it is for. If you delete a certificate your computer needs — for example, one required to connect to your company's VPN, access encrypted email, or authenticate to a find server — you will lose that access. Before deleting, search the certificate name online or ask your IT department whether it is safe to remove.
System certificates and trusted root certificates should almost never be deleted unless you have a specific reason to stop trusting that certificate authority. Deleting a major trusted root certificate can break your ability to access many websites and services.
What to do if you deleted a certificate by mistake
If you deleted a certificate you actually needed, you have two options: reinstall it or request a new one from the issuer. If the certificate came from your workplace, contact your IT department and ask them to send you the certificate again or provide instructions to reinstall it. If it was a personal certificate you downloaded, check your email for the original file or read it again from the issuer's website.
If you deleted a system or trusted root certificate and now websites are not loading or you cannot access a service, you may need to restore your certificate store to its default state. On Windows, you can use the Certificate Manager to re-import trusted root certificates. On Mac, you can restore Keychain from a backup or contact Apple Support. This is rare, but it is why backing up your certificates before deleting them is a good practice if you are unsure.
Backing up certificates before you delete them
If you have a certificate you might need again, export it before deleting it. In Windows Certificate Manager, right-click the certificate, select All Tasks, and click Export. Follow the wizard to save it as a file — you can choose to include the private key or not, depending on what you need. Store this file somewhere safe.
On Mac, right-click the certificate in Keychain Access and select Export. Choose a location and filename, and Keychain will save it as a .cer or .p12 file. You can then delete the original from Keychain and reinstall it later by double-clicking the exported file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting a certificate affect websites I visit?
No. Deleting a certificate from your device only removes your local copy. Websites and servers still have their own certificates. You might see a security warning if you delete a trusted root certificate that your browser uses to verify website authenticity, but the website itself is unaffected.
Can I delete a certificate if I do not know what it is?
You can, but you should not without checking first. Search the certificate name or issuer online, or ask your IT department. Deleting a certificate you need will break access to a service or network. If you are unsure, leave it alone.
What happens if I delete an expired certificate?
Nothing bad. Expired certificates are no longer used for authentication, so deleting them just cleans up your certificate store. Your system will not try to use an expired certificate anyway.
Do I need to restart my computer after deleting a certificate?
Usually not. Most applications and services check your certificate store when they start, so restarting is only necessary if a program is still trying to use the deleted certificate. If you lose access to something after deleting a certificate, restart your computer and the affected process.
Can I recover a deleted certificate?
Only if you exported it before deleting it. If you did not, you will need to request a new one from the issuer or restore from a system backup. This is why exporting important certificates before deletion is a good habit.