Add a Token-Decrypting Certificate
Applies To: Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) 2.0
Federation servers use a token-decryption certificate when a relying party federation server must decrypt tokens that are issued with an older certificate after a new certificate is set as the primary decryption certificate. Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) 2.0 uses the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate for Internet Information Services (IIS) as the default decryption certificate.
Warning
Certificates used for token-decrypting are critical to the stability of the Federation Service. Because loss or unplanned removal of any certificates configured for this purpose can disrupt service, you should backup any certificates configured for this purpose.
You can use the following procedure to add the token-decrypting certificate to the AD FS 2.0 Management snap-in from a file that you have exported.
Membership in Administrators, or equivalent, on the local computer is the minimum required to complete this procedure. Review details about using the appropriate accounts and group memberships at Local and Domain Default Groups (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=83477).
To add a token-decrypting certificate
Click Start, point to All Programs, click Administrative Tools, and then click AD FS 2.0 Management.
In the console tree, double-click Service, and then click Certificates.
In the Actions pane, click the Add Token-Decrypting Certificate link.
In the Browse for Certificate file dialog box, navigate to the certificate file that you want to add, select the certificate file, and then click Open.