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⚡ Instant Microsoft SmartScreen reputation · EV Code Signing
Certificates › Code Signing › EV Code Signing
Code Signing · Extended Validation — Highest Tier

Ship software that Windows trusts from the very first install

EV Code Signing — instant SmartScreen reputation, Extended Validation, FIPS token or eSigner cloud.

EV (Extended Validation) Code Signing is the highest tier of software signing. Microsoft grants EV-signed binaries instant SmartScreen reputation — so your installer runs without a reputation warning from download one, not download ten-thousand. Required for some Windows kernel-mode driver publishing. Essential for consumer-software vendors where install-funnel friction is a revenue issue.

✓ Instant SmartScreen reputation ✓ Extended Validation ✓ FIPS token or eSigner cloud ✓ Required for some Windows drivers
sign://yourapp.exe
EV
Code Signing
SSL.com · EV · Extended validation code signing
Signs
EXE · MSI · DLL
Validation
Extended (EV)
Token
✓ Token/eSigner
SmartScreen
Instant trust
EV org verified
Instant SmartScreen trust
Time-stamping
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EV Code Signing (Enterprise)
from $349/yr
Organization Extended Validation
  • Instant Microsoft SmartScreen reputation
  • Extended Validation (EV)
  • FIPS token or eSigner cloud
  • Sign EXE, MSI, DLL, MSIX, drivers
  • Required for some kernel-mode drivers
  • RFC 3161 time-stamping
Get EV Code Signing → Compare Code Signing tiers
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What is an EV Code Signing Certificate?

An EV (Extended Validation) Code Signing certificate is the top tier of software identity verification. The CA performs the most rigorous organizational validation — Extended Validation — before issuing the certificate. Microsoft then grants EV-signed binaries instant SmartScreen Application Reputation, meaning your software doesn't need to build reputation over time across thousands of successful installs. It's also required for some Windows Hardware Lab Kit (HLK) and Hardware Developer Center driver submissions.

Why choose EV Code Signing

Instant trust for every installation

Instant SmartScreen reputation from the first download
Highest trust signal to end-users and enterprise IT
Required for some Windows kernel-mode driver publishing
FIPS hardware — physical token or eSigner cloud HSM
Company name in every signed binary
Timestamps keep signatures valid after cert expiry
Who is it for

Maximum trust for widely distributed software

Windows kernel driver devs

Required for kernel-mode code

Enterprise software publishers

Instant SmartScreen reputation

Security tool vendors

Antivirus, VPN & system utilities

Consumer software publishers

Millions of end users

Business impact

The gold standard for software trust

Instant SmartScreen trust

The only path to immediate Windows SmartScreen reputation — no waiting period, no reputation-building phase required.

Kernel driver signing prerequisite

Windows requires EV code signing for kernel-mode drivers — no alternative path exists for driver publishers.

Hardest-to-fake combination

Hardware token + timestamp + EV verification creates the strongest software identity available today.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is "instant SmartScreen reputation"?
Microsoft SmartScreen Application Reputation blocks unsigned or newly signed installers. OV-signed software must accumulate a reputation through thousands of installs before the warning clears. EV-signed binaries are granted reputation immediately — your first download runs without a SmartScreen warning.
Is EV required for Windows kernel drivers?
Some Windows kernel-mode driver scenarios — including certain Hardware Developer Center submissions and cross-signing paths — require EV Code Signing. Check your specific driver publication requirements with Microsoft.
How long does EV validation take?
3–7 business days, due to the more thorough Extended Validation process. This typically includes verifying your company's legal registration, physical address, phone number, and authorized signer.
What is the FIPS hardware token?
A FIPS-certified HSM that holds your EV code-signing private key so it can't be copied or exported. Two options: SSL.com ships a physical hardware token, or you use SSL.com's eSigner cloud HSM and sign without a physical device. Both meet the CA/Browser Forum key-storage rule.
Is EV worth the extra cost over OV?
For consumer-software vendors spending on paid acquisition — yes, almost always. The SmartScreen drop-off at install time is a real conversion loss. For B2B enterprise-only distribution, OV may be sufficient if your IT contacts can whitelist the publisher name directly.

Zero SmartScreen friction — from the very first download

EV Code Signing — instant reputation, maximum trust, FIPS token or eSigner cloud.

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