this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2026
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Programming

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[–] Luminous5481@anarchist.nexus 3 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Let’s Encrypt is a trusted, established alternative, it could replace Microsoft for long-lived software certificates.

Uh, no it could not.

First of all, the whole point of signing software is to ensure it comes from a reputable source. Let’s Encrypt signs certificates with an automated process that does no verification whatsoever of the identity of the person asking for a certificate. It would make the whole process completely pointless.

Second, Let’s Encrypt has stated themselves over a decade ago that they have no intention of doing this because it would render the whole system pointless.

[–] piccolo@sh.itjust.works 8 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (1 children)

The point of signing software is to ensure the software was not tampered from the publisher. Linux package managers solve this by comparing a gpg key from the publisher with the software's. There is no need for a corporate giant to "vet" software.

[–] sukhmel@programming.dev 1 points 2 hours ago

I guess, the point was there's nothing doing that in windows, and you will have to check manually or use an expensive M$ certificate