PRB: SignCode Returns "Unable to Sign the Program 0x80070057" (163954)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 3.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer (Programming) 4.01

This article was previously published under Q163954

SYMPTOMS

Attempting to digitally sign a file using Signcode.exe results in the following error:
Unable to sign the program xxxxx: (0x80070057)

CAUSE

The current version of Signcode.exe that ships with the ActiveX SDK, Ms Authenticode(IE4) and MS Authenticode(IE5) tools is unable to sign 16-bit files.

RESOLUTION

One workaround is to wrap the 16-bit file in a .cab or a self-extracting executable, which can then be digitally signed using Signcode.exe.

Note that only the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer requires a digital signature; 16-bit Internet Explorer does not check for signatures, and should therefore be able to download an unsigned 16-bit file.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/2/2003
Keywords:kbcode kbDownload kbFAQ kbprb KB163954