Persisting private/public key pairs in password-encrypted files for transportation to local cryptographic store

A method for digitally signing software code, the method comprising:

• creating a private/public key pair;
• exporting the private/public key pair to a PFX file;
• using a user-supplied password for encrypting the PFX file;
• adding the encrypted PFX file with the private/public key pair therein to a user's project contained in a first machine;
• managing the encrypted PFX file using file-managing tools that are used for managing files in said first machine;
• responsive to a first time user attempt to use the private key for signing software code on said first machine, utilizing said user-supplied password to decrypt said encrypted PFX file and access said private/public key pair contained therein;
• moving said private/public key pair into a non-exportable key container in a local cryptographic store of said first machine, the non-exportable key container store configured to prevent export of said private/public key pair from said first machine;
• and
• automatically directing subsequent user attempts to use said private key to said non-exportable key container rather than to said encrypted PFX file, so that said private key can be used without re-entry of said user-supplied password each time use of said private key is desired.