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Add-AdfsCertificate

Adds a new certificate to AD FS for signing, decrypting, or securing communications.

Last verified: 2026-10-26

Microsoft ADFS reference: Adds a new certificate to AD FS for signing, decrypting, or securing communications. The syntax and selected example below are adapted from the pinned Windows Server 2025 reference. Module availability, target configuration and delegated permissions determine whether it can run in your environment. Documentation and parameter text: Microsoft, CC BY 4.0; formatting adapted by Cmdlet World. No execution testing is claimed.

Add-AdfsCertificate -CertificateType <String> -Thumbprint <String> [-IsPrimary] [-PassThru] [-WhatIf]
 [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]

Required permissions

Use an account with the target resource permissions documented for Add-AdfsCertificate. Modifying administrative cmdlets may require elevation or delegated administration. This catalog does not assert that ordinary users can execute the command.

Supported environments

Windows / ADFS · Windows Server 2025 documentation; feature/module prerequisites apply

Parameters

-CertificateType (required)

Specifies the type and purpose of the certificate. The acceptable values for this parameter are:

-Confirm

Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.

-IsPrimary

Indicates that the certificate is primary or not. Primary token-signing certificates are used to digitally sign outgoing claims. Primary token-encrypting certificates are published in federation metadata for use by trusted claims providers. Service communications certificates are always primary certificates.

-PassThru

Returns an object representing the item with which you are working. By default, this cmdlet does not generate any output.

-Thumbprint (required)

Specifies the thumbprint of the certificate to use.

-WhatIf

Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Prerequisites

Windows with the ADFS module and the Windows feature or management tools that provide it. Confirm target connectivity and version compatibility using the linked Microsoft reference.

Security considerations

This cmdlet changes system state. Review every target and parameter in the official reference, test outside production, and prepare an appropriate backup or rollback. Do not execute the example automatically.

Examples

Add-AdfsCertificate -CertificateType "Token-Signing" -Thumbprint ‎"fedd995b45e633d4ef30fcbc8f3a48b627e9a28b"

Sources

https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-powershell-docs/blob/b7645dd8c687139b28e845119da30ec670526507/docset/winserver2025-ps/ADFS/Add-AdfsCertificate.md

https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/adfs/add-adfscertificate?view=windowsserver2025-ps

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