top

Search MilitaryCAC.com:

Site Map

Please Bookmark and Share this website with your friends and colleagues

           MilitaryCAC.com logo

The Definitive Source for Everything CAC

  CAC (Common Access Card) help for your personal computer

Be notified of
page updates
It's private
Powered by:
ChangeDetection

Verified and secure at:  https://MilitaryCAC.com 

 

 

 

NOTES PAGE aka "ONE-STOP SHOP"

 

This page has all download links and installation instructions for Army personnel in ONE place for your Windows home computer.

 

Download / Save this page as single / printable PDF

 

Visit:  https://www.us.army.mil/suite/files/9957243 Click the link and save it.  It is a single zipped file that includes the software listed below:  ActivClient 6.2.0.50 (32 & 64 bit versions), update patch to 6.2.0.128, DoD certificates 3.15A, Lotus Forms 3.51, and ApproveIt 6.5 (total zip file size is: 101.33MB)

 

 

Quick links to Jump to specific location on page:

1.       Installing the CAC Reader Driver

2.                        Install DoD Certificates

3.                  Install ActivClient Software

3a.                      Make adjustments to IE

4.                Install Lotus Forms Software

5.                     Install ApproveIt Software

6.                 How to Sign a form digitally

7.                            You can access DTS

 

Step 1:  Installing the CAC Reader Driver

Video Installation Instructions (https://militarycac.com/videos.htm#firmware)

 Plug your CAC reader in before proceeding

NOTE:  Please check and make sure your CAC reader installed BEFORE you attempt to download the drivers below.  Most of the time, the New hardware wizard will install the CAC reader automatically, negating the need for you to install the driver.

To Verify your driver did (or did not) install, follow these instructions:

Vista & 7:  Right click Computer, select Properties, Device Manager link (upper left corner of your screen), scroll down to Smart card readers, select the + (or arrow) next to it to open it up.  If your smart card reader is already listed, you can go to the next step of installing the DoD certificates below.  NOTE:  If you can't find it, you can also click Start, In the Start Search line type in:  devmgmt.msc

XP:  Right click My Computer, select Properties, Hardware tab, Device Manager button, scroll down to Smart card readers, select the + next to it to open it up.  If your smart card reader is already listed, you can go to the next step of installing the DoD certificates below.  NOTE:  If you can't find it, you can also click Start, In the Start Search line type in:  devmgmt.msc

 

NOTE:  If it did not install correctly...  Try this first:  Go to: Device Manager (Instructions above), scroll down to Smart Card readers, right click the CAC reader that shows up below Smart Card Readers.  It could also be under unknown devices.  Select Uninstall.  It will may give you a message regarding removing drivers, Select Yes.  Once it is uninstalled, unplug the reader from your computer.  Wait a few moments, then plug it back in.  It "should" start to install itself.  If that doesn't work, keep reading for more ideas.

IF you did not see a Smart card readers option when checking, THEN follow these steps.

To install a driver onto your computer for a CAC reader, you will need to first download the correct driver for the hardware you purchased, I have drivers for several USB Readers on: https://militarycac.com/usbreaders.htm, Keyboards on: https://militarycac.com/keyboards.htm, Laptop card readers on: https://militarycac.com/laptopcards.htm, & Desktop readers https://militarycac.com/desktopreaders.htm

 Unzipping -

Windows XP, Vista, & 7- Save the zip file to a location of your choosing.  Once you have the zip file downloaded, open the zip file (Windows built in zipping program).  Copy the folder inside to a new folder.  It will unzip the contents, (This is the folder you will need when you are doing the steps below).  You can also use the Extract All Files button (on the left under Folder Tasks, under File, Extract All).  It will then ask where you want to save the file too.  I recommend just putting a backslash ( \ ) at the end of the location already on the screen.  

WinZip- Use the Extract button.  It will ask you where you want to save the extracted files to, I recommend your desktop.  Click the desktop icon on the left.  Push the little yellow folder in the upper right corner of this active window.  It will prompt you for a name for the folder (type in CAC Driver).  Hit OK, then select Extract (lower right corner of this window).  You should now see your new folder on your desktop to open up.  Keep this for a later step. 

Updating the Driver -

Windows 7 & Vista - Right Click on Computer, Select Properties.  Click the Device Manager link (on the left side of your screen).  Select the little triangle next to Smart Card Readers.  Right click the USB Smart Card Reader, Update Driver software.  Browse my computer...  Select Browse and then desktop (or wherever you decided to make the folder).  Select the folder and then OK.  Next, Your driver will be installed.

Windows XP - Right Click My Computer, Select Properties, Go to the Hardware tab, Select Device Manager, Select the + next to Smart card readers.  Right click on USB Smart Card Reader.  Select Update Driver, then No, not at this time, Next, Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced), Next, Unselect Search removable..., Select Include this location in the search:, now hit Browse, find the folder we made a few moments ago.  All you have to do is select the folder and hit OK, Next, It should do the rest on its own.  Select Finish when complete.

 

NOTE:  If you are using an SCR-331 CAC Reader on Vista or 7 and are still having problems getting the reader to be recognized  by ActivClient, try updating the firmware on the reader.  https://militarycac.com/cacdrivers#FIRMWARE_UPDATE

Step2: Installing the DOD Certificates

Video Installation Instructions (https://militarycac.com/videos.htm#DoD)

 

back to top

 

DOD InstallRoot 3.15a issued on 16 September 2011

 

Download the DoD Certificates https://militarycac.com/CACDrivers/InstallRoot_v3.15A.exe 

 

Select Run when prompted to Run or Save the file, you will see a black DOS screen flash up, and have words scrolling on the screen.  You have just installed the DoD certificates on your computer.  (This is the easiest portion of the software install).
NOTE:  Windows Vista, 7, & 8 will show a message that the file might not have installed correctly.  Select "This program installed correctly."

 

IE9 users might run into the problem of it not letting you download / install the program, download this zip file https://militarycac.com/CACDrivers/InstallRoot3.15A.zip  and run the InstallRoot_v3.15.exe file inside it.

 

Alternate download links for the DoD certificates:

 

https://www.us.army.mil/suite/doc/33412074

 

Your Internet Explorer may prompt you with a banner stating it blocked this site from downloading files to your computer.  Click the box for the option to Download File.  Nothing will happen, now go back and click the link again above.  Now it will give you the option to Run, Save, or Cancel.

 

-or-

 

DISA's IASE PKI and PKE Tools website

https://iase.disa.mil/pki-pke/function_pages/tools.html

Click on: InstallRoot 3.15 A, then click on (ZIP Download) Size: 240KB.  Save it to your computer, then double click the folder titled:  unclass_installroot_v3.15a.zip, open: InstallRoot_v3.15A, Windows, then run InstallRoot_v3.15A.exe.  Now you have the same file as above.

 

-or-

 

Navy Information Assurance website

https://infosec.nmci.navy.mil/PKI/installroot_v3.15a.exe (Requires CAC)

Select Run when prompted to Run or Save the file, you will see a black DOS screen show on your screen, and have words scrolling in it.  When it goes away, you have just installed the DoD certificates on your computer.
NOTE:  Windows Vista & 7 may show a message that the file might not have installed correctly.  Select "This program installed correctly."

 

 

More information regarding DoD certificates can be read at the bottom of:  https://militarycac.com/dodcerts.htm

 

 

Step 3:  ActivClient is the software that allows your CAC reader to communicate with your Windows Operating System

Video Installation Instructions (https://militarycac.com/videos.htm#ActivClient)

 

back to top

 

Download locations below are for Army personnel only  (Other Federal agencies, look here https://militarycac.com/activclient.htm to find out where to get the ActivClient software)

 

If you don't know whether you have 32 or 64 bit Windows 7 or Vista you have look below BEFORE downloading the wrong one

 

NOTE:  If you have a PIV II compliant CAC (back shows: "Gemalto TOP DL GX4 144", "Oberthur ID One 128 v5.5 Dual", or "Oberthur ID One V5.2a Dual") and you are using Windows 7, you might be able to use your CAC without any middleware. 

Visit https://militarycac.com/noactivclientwindows7.htm

 

 

Windows 7 (32bit), Vista (32bit), & XP users download ActivClient 6.2 from:

https://www.us.army.mil/suite/folder/21154519 

Click on link titled:  ActivClient CAC x86 6.2 (15,222.5 KB msi file) select Save (save to your computer), now  follow instructions below.

 

Vista (64 bit) and Windows 7 (64 bit) users download ActivClient 6.2 from:

https://www.us.army.mil/suite/folder/21154526

Click on link titled:  ActivClient CAC x64 6.2 (12,316.5 KB  msi file) select Save (save to your computer), now follow instructions below.

 

 

If you are unsure which version of Windows you have, here is how to find out:

 

Vista & Windows 7: Right click Computer, Select Properties.  Look under the System section, System type: you will see 32 or 64-bit Operating System. 
XP: Right click My Computer, Properties.  If it doesn't say 64-bit, you have a 32-bit Operating System.

 

ACTIVCLIENT 6.2 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

(for all versions of Windows):

Double click the file you just downloaded, Next, Select "I accept the terms...", Next, verify Typical is selected, Next, Install, (It may pause at this screen for a little while, be patient.  Vista & 7 may prompt you to allow the following program to install software on this computer?, Select Yes.  Uncheck the Show the readme file box (unless you want to read it). Hit Finish.   You may be prompted to restart your computer.  I was for 64 bit, but not for 32 bit Windows 7).
 Army users are now ready to install Lotus Forms and Approve It now, then restart your computer. 

 

ACTIVECLIENT INSTALLATION PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

https://militarycac.com/errors2.htm#ACTIVECLIENT

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: The following Operating Systems are NOT SUPPORTED by the ActivClient software above: Windows ME, Windows NT 4, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or any earlier versions of Microsoft Windows and non-Microsoft OS' such as:

(ApplePicture of an apple, representing Macintosh computers or Linux Picture of Penguin representing Linux)

https://militarycac.com/apple.htm      https://militarycac.com/linux.htm 

 

 

Step 3a:  Make adjustments to make sure your Internet Explorer is configured correctly

 

Follow this PDF to make sure your Internet Explorer is configured correctly.

 

https://militarycac.com/files/Making_AKO_work_with_Internet_Explorer_color.pdf

-or-

http://goo.gl/EzDW6

 

 

Step 4:  Lotus Forms is the current forms program in use by the Army and Air Force

Video Installation Instructions (https://militarycac.com/videos.htm#LotusForms)

 

back to top

Installation Steps:

1.  Download Lotus Forms from: https://chess.army.mil/ascp/commerce/download/lotus_forms_viewer.jsp

2.  You will be prompted to Accept the conditions that you are logging into an Army / DoD website.  Read it then select I Accept

NOTE:  If this is the first time you have been to this website you will have to register. 

NOTE2:  If the following page does not take you to the page titled Lotus Forms Viewer, you will need to navigate to it via the buttons on the left side of the screen.  Click Software, Army Software Downloads, Lotus Forms Viewer. 

3.  Click the link titled:  Download Software, (you will be prompted to logon with your AKO registered CAC).  

4. Click the Army CAC Logon (button), Enter your CAC PIN. 

5.  Click the link titled:  Lotus Forms Viewer Application and save it to your computer.

6.  Once it is downloaded, double click the file titled: LotusForms351.exe, 

NOTE:  When it says it will take a few minutes to install, it really does (one person stated it took 5 hours).  Once the little box closes it has finished installing.  This program does not tell you it completed.

NOTE:  My personal recommendation to verify the software installed is to navigate to Control Panel: Uninstall a program (Windows 7 / Vista), or Programs and Features (Vista), or Add/Remove Programs (XP) look for: IBM Lotus Forms

 

LOTUS FORMS INSTALLATION PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

 https://militarycac.com/errors2.htm#LOTUS

 

The ideas on this website are from my personal experience.  I have been told by Army Publishing Directorate (APD) to send users to their help desk so they become aware of the problems with this program.  703-692-1306 / DSN:  312-222-1306 , Webform, or apdfcmp@conus.army.mil 

 

If you are having problems accessing the CHESS website, contact the CHESS help desk at: peoeis.pdchess.helpdesk@us.army.mil or 888-232-4405 / 703-806-1019 / DSN: 312-656-1019 (Monday - Friday 0800-1700 EST).

 

 

 To download DA forms, go to the Army Publishing Directorate website  http://www.apd.army.mil/ , click on the Forms (tab) DA Forms button.  Find the form you want (in the range of form numbers).  Right click the XFDL link to the right of the form you want, Select Save Target As.  Save it to your computer and you will have the form for later.  You can also click the link, it will open up your Lotus Forms or Pure Edge software automatically (only if using Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8).  All other browsers will have to use the Right click, Save As option to save your form.

 

Air Force users, download your version of Lotus forms:

http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/viewerdownload.asp

Download "AFDPO Releases Updated IBM Lotus Viewer_DSign_3.5.1.333.exe"  under Software link

 

 

Step 5:  The Approve It software makes it possible for you to digitally sign forms

Video Installation Instructions (https://militarycac.com/videos.htm#LotusForms)

 

back to top

 

Installation Steps:

 

1.  Download ApproveIt 6.5 from:  https://chess.army.mil/ascp/commerce/download/silanis_approveIt.jsp

 

2.  You will be prompted to Accept the conditions that you are logging into an Army / DoD website.  Read it then select I Accept

 

NOTE:  If the following page does not take you to the page titled Silanis ApproveIt, you will need to navigate to it via the buttons on the left side of the screen.  Click: Software, Army Software Downloads, Silanis ApproveIt. 

 

3.  Click the link titled:  Download Software, (you will be prompted to logon with your AKO registered CAC).  (The file size is 43.1 MB, so it may take a while to download).

 

4. Click the Army CAC Logon (button), Enter your CAC PIN. 

 

5.  Click the link titled:  Silanis ApproveIt Desktop Software and save it to your computer.

 

6.  Once it is downloaded, double click the file titled: ApproveIt_6.5.exe, then select Run

 

7.  Click the Browse... (button) and select a location like your Desktop or Documents, then select OK, now select Unzip.  When you get the little box stating 17 file(s) unzipped successfully select OK

 

8.  Close the WinZip Self-Extractor window

 

9.  Navigate to the location you selected in step 7.  You will see a folder titled:  ApproveIt 6.5, open it and select AGMInst.exe (Army Star Logo) Application file type.  If the Windows User Access Control pops up, Allow it.

 

10.  You will have a small window (like Lotus Forms did) telling you to wait.

 

NOTE:  XP users may need to go into the Source folder and click Setup.exe (82KB) if the above instructions did not work.

 

NOTE:  My personal recommendation to verify the software installed is to navigate to Control Panel: Uninstall a program (Windows 7 / Vista), or Programs and Features (Vista), or Add/Remove Programs (XP) look for: ApproveIt Desktop

 

APPROVEIT INSTALLATION PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

 

11.  Restart your computer, then come back to this page to use the Sample Form below OR you may want to save it to your desktop now.

 

Use this Sample Form https://militarycac.com/files/a3161.xfdl to test your digital signature.

Image of a blank DA3161

  NOTE: This will only work on Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8.  If you are using IE 9, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Opera you will need to right click the "sample form" link and select Save Link As / Download Linked File As / Save to Download Folder. Save it to your desktop, then test from your desktop.  My computer also downloaded it as a .txt file, so, I right clicked it and changed it to .xfdl

 

https://militarycac.com/errors2.htm#APPROVE_IT

 

The ideas on this website are from my personal experience.  I have been told by Army Publishing Directorate (APD) to send users to their help desk so they become aware of the problems with this program.  703-692-1306 / DSN:  312-222-1306 , Webform, or apdfcmp@conus.army.mil 

 

If you are having problems accessing the CHESS website, contact the CHESS help desk at: peoeis.pdchess.helpdesk@us.army.mil or 888-232-4405 / 703-806-1019 / DSN: 312-656-1019 (Monday - Friday 0800-1700 EST).

If the word Sign stays gray, visit:  https://militarycac.com/errors2.htm#SIGN_IS_GRAY for ideas to try and correct this annoying problem.

If you receive an ePersona message, or "Add digital ID" with the choice of, I want to sign this document using?   Do this to correct it:

Close Lotus Forms or PureEdge (if it is open).  Go to: C:\Program Files\ApproveIt\, double-click the icon that looks like a wrench titled: "AprvCfg.exe".  On the Signature Method tab, make sure the radio button is on the bottom choice - "Sign using a certificate or smart card."  Don't change anything else.  Click Apply, then OK

 

After you click "Sign" in Lotus Forms or PureEdge, it may take a few minutes for the list of certificates to pop up. Be patient. Choose the certificate that doesn't say Email, and put a check in the box that says "Use this certificate as default."

 

 

Step 6:  Does Digitally signing a form seem confusing? then follow these simplified instructions

Video Installation Instructions (https://militarycac.com/videos.htm#Digitally_Signing)

 

back to top

 

 Visual steps  https://militarycac.com/files/Digitally_Signing_a_form.pdf

 

With your form open and your CAC inserted in the card reader

Single click the button with the slanted pen with "Click to Approve" typed after it (see image)

Click to Approve button image

Read the Electronic Signature Notice, then OK

Click the word Sign (not OK)

Select your name (the one without the word Email in it), then OK

You should see your name, once you do, click the word Sign

It will prompt you to type in your PIN, then select OK

Once you see Signature is valid, select OK

You have now signed your form

 

If you are interested in knowing how to digitally sign a memorandum, here are instructions on how to do it (https://militarycac.com/files/digital signature.doc) (Word 2003 & 2007 only)

 

 

For organizations that use DTS (Defense Travel System)

back to top

 

Visit:

http://www.defensetravel.osd.mil/dts/site/index.jsp

 

When you go to the above link, your web browser will automatically check for DBSign Universal Web Signer, if you don't have it, it will install automatically.

 

Mac and Linux users can also access DTS

 

Known problems and cures for DTS can be found here:  https://militarycac.com/errors2.htm#DTS

 

DTS "Smart book" can be downloaded from: https://militarycac.com/dts.htm  

 

I

Symantec Antivirus

https://www.acert.1stiocmd.army.mil/Antivirus/Home_Use.htm

Note: You need to know if you have 32 or 64 bit version of Windows. 
Vista & 7: Right click Computer, Select Properties, under System, System type you will see either 32 or 64 bit Operating System. 
XP: Right click My Computer, Select Properties.  If you don't see 64, you have a 32 bit Operating System. 

 

Windows users can download Symantec or McAfee for FREE

Apple Mac users can download Norton or Virex for FREE (YES, Macs can get virus')

https://militarycac.com/antivirus.htm

Discounts on New Computers obtained through the Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS).

Government Employee Purchase Program (includes Apple, Dell, HP, IBM, and Microsoft)

 

https://chess.army.mil/ascp/commerce/empPurchase/govtEmpPurchase.jsp

 

 


 
 
If you have questions or suggestions for this site, contact Michael J. Danberry

Are you interested in subscribing to the CACNews email list?

 

Last Update or Review:  Sunday, 19 February 2012 16:50 hrs

 Army Gold Master Site on AKO

The following domain names all resolve to the same website:  ChiefsCACSite.com, CommonAccessCard.us, CommonAccessCard.info, ChiefGeek.us, MilitaryCAC.info, MilitaryCAC.us, MilitaryCAC.org, MilitaryCAC.net, & MilitaryCAC.mobi