I'm asking this question because I've spent the best part of a day trawling through msdn docs and other opaque sources for simple straightforward guidelines on how to get started with the Windows C/C++ Crypto API.
What I'd like to see is some example code, typical include paths, linking guidelines, etc, anything useful really. I know this is an imprecise question but I reckon imprecise answers are better none at all.
I'll get the ball rolling with my own meager findings...
Here's a bunch of examples I've found....
MSDN has these examples scattered around the docs
This website provides a good overview of the concepts along with cross-platform examples
The msdn docs are here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa380252.aspx
This is the main include file: #include <wincrypt.h>
The cryptography bits are included as part of the Windows SDK, which is typically installed in %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\SDKVERSION (e.g., C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v6.0A). The headers are typically in %WINDOWSSDK%\Include, and the related libraries are in %WINDOWSSDK%\Lib.
You must link to the cryptography libraries explicitly. Assuming you're in Visual Studio, you can add the reference by right clicking on the C++ project, choosing properties, and selecting Configuration Properties -> Linker on the treeview at left. You can then specify crypt32.lib in the input field on the right.
Alternately, (assuming you're using msvc++) add
#pragma comment(lib, "crypt32.lib")
to your source.
There is also a lengthy example "Encryption using the Win32 Crypto API" over at the Code Project.
After searching for several hours, I found this one here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows/win32/get-information-authenticode-signed-executables
It's detailed, and it works.
