Modify installation procedure for AIR apps with new certificates?

Question

Hey all,
My company just got a signed certificate for the AIR application I've been working on.  Unfortunately, when users try to install this new version, they get the following error message now:
I understand why this is: The application doesn't recognize the one with the old certificate and won't forcibly override it.
(Source: http://mxbase.blogspot.com/2008/04/air-update-and-certificate.html)
My boss wants me to find a way to make the transition between certificates seamless (ie. just reinstall over the old one as if they both had the same certificate - no uninstall, no save to new location, no unusual tasks for the users).  Is this possible?  If so, how?  I know it's a heck of a question to ask 
Thanks so much, all!
-Katherine

Answer 1

You should never let your certificate expire before renewing it or getting a new one.
Did you get a new certificate or renew the old one?
If new, then your users must uninstall the old version and then install your new version. Any data your apps stores in the EncryptedLocalStore will be inaccessible. Any files your application has stored in the application storage directory will have to be copied to the new storage directory by the updated app.
If you renewed the certificate, then presumably you are getting this error because the Certificate Authority has changed their own certificates used to sign their issued certs. If this is the case, they might (for some thousands of dollars) be willing to perform a key ceremony to bring the old certificate out of retirement and reissue your new certificate so that it has the same identity as the old one.