How to install and use the Gpgcom Windows Component

2001-07-31

Installation should be pretty easy:

Get and install the latest GnuPG binary for windows (ftp://ftp.gnupg.org/gcrypt/binary/gnupg-w32-1.0.6.zip)
Check that you have an untampered version of this package by comparing an MD5SUM against the one on the webpage or by checking the signature of the package using "gpg --verify". See the webpacge for details.
Because you are reading this file, you probably have already unpacked it distribution using a unzip utility :-). You should find these files:

       README      - This file
       gpgcom.exe  - The Gpgcom server
       vbtest.html - A Test webpage 
       vbtest.vbs  - A VB script to be used with the cscript utility

If you are updating Gpgcom, run the old Gpgcom like this:

c:\gnupg\gpgcom -UnregServer

(Replace c:\gnupg with the actually used path)

Copy the file gpgcom.exe to a some location. C:\gnupg seems to be a good choice.
Register the component using this command:

c:\gnupg\gpgcom -RegServer

Ready

Testing the installation:

Make sure that you have a working GnuPG (gpg.exe) and that at least one key is installed.
Edit the vbtest.vbs script and replace "alice" in the line

gpg.AddRecipient "alice"

with a keyID or user name you have in your key ring.

Run the test script:

cscript vbtest.vbs

and you should see a valid MIME message with the encrypted text.

Using Gpgcom

Gpgcom currently support only encryption but will be extended to the full range of operations GnuPG provides. The 2 examples should goive yopu a hint on how to use it. We suggest that you always set armor to true, so that the returned text is a string. If you don't use armor, the "ciphertext" property will return an array with the binary message.