Windows 10: Verify .exe file for Windows

Hello,I've seen on the Microsoft Learn page that I can become a verified publisher to make my GitHub-built exe files verified by Windows instead of warning users that this app is not verified. My question is:Suppose I register as a developer on the Microsoft Partner Center with the $14 one-time fee. Is there any way to get my standalone .exe file marked as "Publisher Verified" and avoid SmartScreen warnings without publishing to the Microsoft Store? Note that my exe file is built by GitHub actions and that the repository building them is open-source here : https://github.com/FlazeSMP/FlazeSM

:)

 

When does the Operating system verify the Authenticode Signatures for signed EXEs and signed DLLs?

When PE Files (exes, dlls etc.) are code signed using signtool, they can be verified to check if they have been authored by trusted publishers. In which scenarios does the Operating system actually verify signed EXEs and DLLs?

1. Are signatures of EXEs verified every time they are run?
2. If an EXE has a dynamically linked DLL, is the DLL's signature verified when the EXE is run?
   
3. If the EXE dynamically loads a DLL using LoadLibrary, is the DLL's signature verified when the EXE is run?
4. When an EXE requires elevated privilege (UAC), is the signature of the EXE and the DLL dependencies verified as well? (1-3)

If this questions belongs in a different category or community, please let me know. Thanks.

 

Can't run .exe file

Hi Phil,

There are several reasons why you are having issues running .exe files on your Windows 10 laptop. To assist you better, kindly answer the questions below:

• Have you made any changes to your laptop prior to this issue?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?
• What is the error message that you received when running .exe files?

Regards.

 

.exe files

Hi,

The file extension .exe is an executable file format in Windows operating system. To better understand your concern, we’d like to request for an elaborate detail for us to determine what causes this file not to open by answering these questions:

• Resetting Windows 10 is a last resort of troubleshooting. Are you experiencing other issues on your computer?
• What is the program are you trying to launch?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?
• Did you receive any error message when you launch this application?

We’re looking forward to your response.