An error occurred while signing: SignTool.exe not found

Question

While I was trying to Update my Project I was making - I got an error for the first time I\'ve seen:

\'An error occurred while signing: SignTool.exe n

Answer 1

Please Click Once application --> Properties --> Signing -> Unchecked the Sign the ClickOnce manifests.

Problem will be solved.

Note: Be aware that this solution removes security from your project. Seek assitance from a more learned colleague before doing so.

Answer 2

None of the answers above talk about disabling ClickOnce. In my situation, I never used ClickOnce for my applications but after I upgraded to VS 2015 it was suddenly enabled and I got the 'SignTool.exe not found' error when I tried to compile.

To disable you go into the properties of your Project (right click) and choose Security | Uncheck Enable ClickOnce security settings.

You can leave the manifest checked in the Signing tab because it has nothing to sign if it's been disabled.

I've confirmed that unchecking the security resolved the compile error on my projects.

Answer 3

I did have similar problem. For some reason under project properties -> Signing -> Sign ClickOnce manifests was enabled.

I unchecked it and the problem went away.

Answer 4

Now try to publish the ClickOnce application. If you still find the same issue, please check if you installed the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 Developer Preview on the system. The Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 Developer Preview is a prerelease version of the .NET Framework, and should not be used in production scenarios. It is an in-place update to the .NET Framework 4. You would need to uninstall this prerelease product from ARP.

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/vsnetsetup/2013/11/18/an-error-occurred-while-signing-signtool-exe-not-found/

Lastly you might want to install the customer preview instead of being on the developer preview

Answer 5

I had the same issue/error message just after upgrading Visual Studio Pro 2019 V16.6.0. Solution was to make sure that the signing certificate is valid as mine had expired by a day.

Look in properties and signing to either enter a valid or temporary certificate. To keep the file name the same as before then un-click the security as mentioned above and then delete the key file linked to the programme.

Create a new key file and then add back the security.

Answer 6

SignTool is moved to another location in the last SDK: C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\8.1\bin\x86

Need to install ClickOnce Publishing Tools during Visual Studio 2015 setup.

You can re-run the Installation from the Programs and Features section; find Visual Studio in the list and click Change.