Get File hashes using Windows PowerShell
Getting file hashes can be quite useful. This can be used for instance to make sure that backed up files are not corrupt or modified (by generating hashes before and after the process), or to make sure that no one tampered with an important file.
You may see it on download sites as well, but the use there is limited. The reason is simple: if an attacker managed to change the download file, there is a chance that the website was compromised as well. This could theoretically at least mean that the file hash displayed on the site was modified as well to fit the new malicious version of the download.
We have reviewed a considerable number of hashing related programs in the past: from the Windows shell extension HashTab, over Nirsoft's HashMyFiles to File Check MD5 and MD5 Check Utility.
Get File hashes using Windows PowerShell
If you need to generate the hash of a file quickly on a Windows machine, then you may also use PowerShell for that.
It may not be as comfortable as some of the hashing programs out there, but it is a native implementation that does not require third-party software to work. Useful in restricted environments for instance, or when there is no Internet connection available to download these programs.
Hash generating was integrated into PowerShell 4.0. It is included in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2, and also available for Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1.
- Tap on the Windows-key, type PowerShell, and hit the Enter-key to start it up.
The main command is get-filehash FILEPATH, e.g. get-filehash c:\test.txt.
Get-FileHash uses the Sha256 algorithm by default. You may specify a different algorithm instead using the -Algorithm parameter.
Supported are: SHA1, SHA256, SHA384, SHA512, MACTripleDES, MD5, RIPEMD160
Note that MD5 and SHA1 are not considered secure anymore but are still supported.
So, to generate a Sha512 hash you would use the command get-filehash -Algorithm Sha512 c:\test.txt.
You may also use -LiteralPath or -InputStream instead of the default path option.
- LiteralPath: get-filehash -LiteralPath -Algorithm SHA512 c:\test.txt.
- InputStream get-filehash -InputStream -Algorithm SHA512 Stream.
The core difference between path and literalpath is that literalpath supports no wildcards, and is used exactly as it is typed.
CertUtil
CertUtil is another native Windows program that you may use to compute hashes of files. You can run the program from the command prompt, or using PowerShell.
The base command is certutil -hashfile PATH, e.g. certutil -hashfile c:\example.txt.
You may specify the hash algorithm as well. Supported are MD2, MD4, MD5, SHA1, SHA256, SHA384, SHA512. The default algorithm is MD5.
To use a different hash algorithm, specify it after the command, e.g. certutil -hashfile c:\example.txt SHA512.
Closing Words
You may use the commands in scripts to compute hashes for several files in one operation. The two native tools get-filehash and certutil are quite handy for the quick computation of hashes on Windows, and also for script use. (via Genbeta (Spanish))
What mental age of reader are you targeting with the first sentence? 10?
Why not write an article on how to *avoid* upgrading from W10 to W11. Analogous to those like me who avoided upgrading from 7 to 10 for as long as possible.
If your paymaster Microsoft permits it, of course.
5. Rufus
6. Ventoy
PS. I hate reading these “SEO optimized” articles.
I used Rufus to create an installer for a 6th gen intel i5 that had MBR. It upgraded using Setup. No issues except for Win 11 always prompting me to replace my local account. Still using Win 10 Pro on all my other PCs to avoid the bullying.
bit pointless to upgrade for the sake of upgrading as you never know when you’ll get locked out because ms might suddenly not provide updates to unsupported systems.
ps…. time travelling?
written. Jan 15, 2023
Updated • Jan 13, 2023
This happens when you schedule a post in WordPress and update it before setting the publication date.
Anyone willing to downgrade to this awful OS must like inflicting themselves with harm.
I have become convinced now that anybody who has no qualms with using Windows 11/10 must fit into one of the following brackets:
1) Too young to remember a time before W10 and W11 (doesn’t know better)
2) Wants to play the latest games on their PC above anything else (or deeply needs some software which already dropped W7 support)
3) Doesn’t know too much about how computers work, worried that they’d be absolutely lost and in trouble without the “”latest security””
4) Microsoft apologist that tries to justify that the latest “features” and “changes” are actually a good thing, that improve Windows
5) Uses their computer to do a bare minimum of like 3 different things, browse web, check emails, etc, so really doesn’t fuss
Obviously that doesn’t cover everyone, there’s also the category that:
6) Actually liked W7 more than 10, and held out as long as possible before switching, begrudgingly uses 10 now
Have I missed any group off this list?
You have missed in this group just about any professional user that uses business software like CAD programs or ERP Programs which are 99% of all professional users from this list.
Linux doesn’t help anyone who is not a linux kid and apple is just a fancy facebook machine.
Microsoft has removed KB5029351 update
only from windows update though
KB5029351 is still available from the ms update catalog site
1. This update is labaled as PREVIEW if it causes issues to unintelligent people, then they shouldn’t have allowed Preview updates ot install.
2. I have installed it in a 11 years old computer, and no problems at all.
3. Making a big drama over a bluescreen for an updated labeled as preview is ridiculous.
This is probably another BS internet drama where people ran programs and scripts that modified the registry until they broke Windows, just for removing stuff that they weren’t even using just for the sake of it.
Maybe people should stop playing geeks and actually either use Windows 10 or Windows 11, but don’t try to modify things just for the sake of it.
Sometimes removing or stopping things (like defender is a perfect example) only need intelligence, not scripts or 3rd party programs that might mess with windows.
Windows 11 was a pointless release, it was just created because some of the Windows team wanted to boost sales with some sort of new and improved Windows 10. Instead, Microsoft cannot support one version well let alone two.
Windows 11 is the worst ugly shame by Microsoft ever. They should release with every new W11 version a complete free version of Starallback inside just to make this sh** OS functionally again.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released a statement regarding the “unsupported processor” blue screen error for their boards using Intel 600/700 series chipsets & to avoid the KB5029351 Win11 update:
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/MSI-On–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–Error-Message-of-Windows-11-Update-KB5029351-Preview-142215
check out the following recent articles:
Neowin – Microsoft puts little blame on its Windows update after UNSUPPORTED PROCESSOR BSOD bug:
https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-puts-little-blame-on-its-windows-update-after-unsupported-processor-bsod-bug/
BleepingComputer – Microsoft blames ‘unsupported processor’ blue screens on OEM vendors:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-blames-unsupported-processor-blue-screens-on-oem-vendors/
While there may be changes or updates to the Windows 10 Store for Business and Education in the future, it is premature to conclude that it will be discontinued based solely on rumors.
My advice, I left win 15 years ago. Now I’m a happy linux user (linuxmint) but there is Centos, Fedora, Ubuntu depending on your needs.
motherboard maker MSI has recently released new BIOS/firmware updates for their Intel 600 & 700 series motherboards to fix the “UNSUPPORTED_PROCESSOR” problem (Sept. 6):
https://www.msi.com/news/detail/Updated-BIOS-fixes-Error-Message–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–caused-BSOD-on-MSI-s-Intel-700-and-600-Series-Motherboards-142277
I try to disable the Diagnostics Tracking Service (Connected Devices Platform User Services) but it wont let me disable it, any help will be greatly appreciated.
Tank you for your help