What is MIME type "application/vnd.ms-pki.certstore"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type application/vnd.ms-pki.certstore designates a binary file that holds a serialized certificate store. It is used by Microsoft systems to group multiple digital certificates into one file. This helps manage secure credentials, such as authentication and encryption certificates, especially in Windows environments.

A typical file using this MIME type is marked by the file extension SST. This container format may include various certificates from a certificate authority used to build trust chains for secure communications.

Use case: Transporting and backing up groups of secure certificates
Use case: Importing certificates into systems such as the Windows Certificate Manager
Key fact: The format is binary and serialized, ensuring certificates remain intact during transfer
Key fact: It supports Microsoft’s network security and public key infrastructure (PKI) operations

This MIME type is essential for IT professionals handling digital certificate distribution and system security in Microsoft-based environments. For further details on file types, see resources like FileXT.

Associated file extensions

.sst

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/vnd.ms-pki.certstore

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/vnd.ms-pki.certstore">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/vnd.ms-pki.certstore');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.sst

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.