File Hash Checker is a lightweight program that can be used to check the integrity of files

Ashwin
Nov 20, 2020
Updated • Dec 15, 2020
Windows, Windows software
|
5

Have you ever wondered if a file that you downloaded is safe, or if a backed up file is still working fine and not corrupt? Sometimes you may encounter errors when a file doesn't work.

File Hash Checker is a lightweight program that can be used to check the integrity of files

It is possible that the browser had been closed accidentally, or the network connection was ended abruptly, or in the worst case scenario, the file could have been tampered with. For backups, it is possible that the storage device is not working properly anymore, e.g. when a DVD has read errors.

A good way to make sure you have the complete file, and not a broken or corrupted file is to check its integrity. This is done by verifying the file's hash values. Windows Explorer does not have an option to do this by default, but we have plenty of options to choose from. File Hash Checker is a lightweight program that can be used to hash the integrity of files.

The program has a clean interface which is refreshingly devoid of toolbars and menu bars. The first box at the top is the file path, use the browse button to navigate to the directory where the file is at and select it.

File Hash Checker example 2

File Hash Checker also supports drag and drop, so you can use Explorer to add a file to be checked quickly. You have to drop the file just below the text field to get it working. Pasting the location of the file in the field however does not seem to add the file.

There is another way to get things done faster, click on the menu button and toggle the only option that is available. Enabling this option creates a shortcut in the Windows Explorer context menu, to be more specific it adds File Hash Checker as one of the options in the "Send To" menu. So you can use this to send the selected file to File Hash Checker. You should know that by enabling the Shell extension, you're making the program non-portable, i.e. it writes to the registry.

File Hash Checker Explorer context menu

You can only add one file to the program at a time, which means you cannot compute or compare the hashes of multiple files at once. If you need that functionality, check out alternatives such as SigCheckGUI, HashTools, or QuickHash GUI.

Once you have selected a file, the program automatically displays the SHA1 hash value by default. But File Hash Checker supports 4 additional hashing methods including SHA256, SHA384, SHA512 and MD5. To enable one of the algorithms, click on the box next to it and click on the "Compute Hash Value" button. Click inside the text box and you can copy the computed hash value to the clipboard.

File Hash Checker example 3

How do you compare the hash values using the application? Say, you downloaded a file from a website and the developer has provided the hashes for it, you can copy the value and paste it in the Expected Value field in File Hash Checker. You may click the "Read Clipboard" button to automatically paste the content. The program will display a banner next to its computed value to indicate whether the values match.

The "Match" banner doesn't appear when the values are not the same, in fact there is no indication that says they are different.

Here's a screenshot that shows a comparison that shows how it looks, I used the value provided by Mozilla's FTP servers and used File Hash Checker to cross-verify the downloaded file's integrity.

File Hash Checker example

File Hash Checker is an open source program, which is written in C#.

Summary
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Author Rating
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4.5 based on 3 votes
Software Name
File Hash Checker
Operating System
Windows, Linux
Software Category
Security
Price
Free
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Comments

  1. Anonymous said on March 9, 2023 at 1:52 pm
    Reply

    Does it come back after every “moment” update?

  2. Baloney said on March 9, 2023 at 2:23 pm
    Reply

    Yeah right.. Like this is going to stop defender from running =) This is comedy gold right here.

  3. Anonymous said on March 9, 2023 at 3:25 pm
    Reply

    no ‘about the author’ paragraph?

  4. Gregory said on March 9, 2023 at 4:19 pm
    Reply

    For permanent disable defender is if removed complete from system no just change permission folder.

    Just this is joke.

  5. moi said on March 9, 2023 at 5:57 pm
    Reply

    simpler, load Autoruns (SysInternals)
    – filter “Defender”
    – untag all entries
    – reboot
    nothing has changed since my 1st modification years ago

  6. John G. said on March 9, 2023 at 6:32 pm
    Reply

    I wouldn’t disable Defender imho, it has too many hidden roots inside Windows itself. One time I tried to uninstall it using brute force scripts and then the Onedrive feature stopped working definitely. A reinstallation was needed and since those times I prefer to maintain Defender untouched. It’s a better method to install another antivirus and it will disable Defender in a safer and easier mode (e.g., Avast is the best in this way, and also Panda Cloud Free is good too).

  7. boris said on March 10, 2023 at 12:19 am
    Reply

    You can not stop defender from running in background or remove it without some penalty. All you can do is to limit telemetry.

    1. TelV said on March 10, 2023 at 4:52 pm
      Reply

      @borts,

      It’s probably Smartscreen which is preventing WD from being disabled. Get rid of that and the problem should be solved: https://thegeekpage.com/disable-windows-defender-smartscreen/#How_to_disable_the_Windows_Defender_SmartScreen_via_Local_Group_Policy_Editor

  8. hoho said on March 10, 2023 at 1:47 pm
    Reply

    Remove Windows and go for Linux.

    1. basingstoke said on March 10, 2023 at 2:51 pm
      Reply

      Linux sucks dude. Besides it’s not comparable to Windows, these OSes are in different classes entirely.

      1. Derp said on March 10, 2023 at 4:36 pm
        Reply

        I use Linux as my daily driver. It’s far more stable than Windows. When’s the last time you used Linux, 2010?

      2. Bromosexual said on March 11, 2023 at 2:04 am
        Reply

        @basingstoke

        You’re right, dude. Bro, linux is just a bunch of code that starts before the OS, dude. Brobrodude, that shit ain’t even got emojis, dudebrodudeman! Dudebro, it’s no way near as cool as Windows with its hardcoded abilities to make money off the user, bro. Yo brodude man, you’re the coolest dude ever man, bro. Dude.

      3. basingstoke said on August 16, 2023 at 7:20 pm
        Reply

        Lol what? Windows 7 doesn’t come with any Emojis

  9. TelV said on March 10, 2023 at 4:46 pm
    Reply

    Download Autoruns and remove the checkmark from Windows Defender. It doesn’t remove it, but it will never run. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns

  10. Simon said on March 10, 2023 at 8:37 pm
    Reply

    Just use “Defender Control”:
    https://www.sordum.org/9480/defender-control-v2-1/comment-page-1/#comments

    Per this video,
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLIjr7FyxZ8
    it also works on Windows 11 too…

  11. Someone said on March 10, 2023 at 9:26 pm
    Reply

    Win Defender, is completly the most succesful free-built in antivirus of Microsoft. Really nice product. Saved my ass a lot of times. Has updated malware database, completly strong defence
    from whatever smart screen disables. Or if you want better and more upgrated (paid) program,
    you can go further. But defender is always on your side.

  12. CalixtoWVR1 said on March 10, 2023 at 10:03 pm
    Reply

    Why would one disable Windows (or Microsoft) Defender in the first place?. I consider this to be playing with fire big time. Everybody knows that if one is using another A-V, Defender will be disabled on its own and won’t be in one’s way.

  13. Ed D said on March 10, 2023 at 11:09 pm
    Reply

    Why would I want to disable Windows Defender in the first place? It’s a great anti virus in my opinion. Been using it since Windows 8 and and never had a problem or a virus. Why mess with a good thing, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

  14. owl said on August 17, 2023 at 1:57 am
    Reply

    How a ridiculous article!
    I am thoroughly stunned.

    Why Should You Disable First-Party Windows Defender?
    I can only think that it is “malice or perversely intention (want you to buy a third-party AV where you can expect a back margin)” to guide invalidation without showing the premise.
    No sane company will use third-party closed source programs (such as AV).

    As I thought, “Ghacks Technology News” seems to be coming to downfall.

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