When we download some large files from the Internet, due to the influence of the network and the download client, sometimes the files are damaged. To ensure that the files are complete and reliable, we need to use some means to verify whether the files are damaged or tampered with. For software release, the most effective way is to add digital signatures, which is impossible for ordinary files. However, some encryption algorithms can be used to verify the uniqueness of files.

Hash is hash in English and can be translated into hash in Chinese. It is a method to calculate the input data (in this case, the file content) using a set algorithm to obtain a string of string output results. The algorithm used is also called hash function or hash algorithm. The research on hash algorithm belongs to the research field of cryptography.
Hash computing is a one-way cryptographic algorithm, that is, from plaintext to ciphertext is irreversible, only the encryption process, no decryption process. The result of hash algorithm is usually very small, generally in the form of 32-bit or 64 bit hexadecimal string. One of the characteristics of hash algorithm is high sensitivity, that is to say, if the input data changes slightly, the output result of hash algorithm will be completely different.

Hash algorithm can be used to verify the accuracy of the information or data received by the receiver. When the official releases the software, the hash value of the software can be released at the same time, so that users can identify whether it is the official original or not. The user can process the downloaded software through the hash tool, and compare the hash value obtained with the officially published hash value to verify whether the software has been tampered with.

After years of research by cryptographic experts, there are only a few popular hash algorithms, mainly MD5 SHA1 SHA256. In fact, there are still some hash algorithms developed, but they are widely used.

Here are some tools for calculating hash values:

1、 CMD command line tool of Microsoft Windows

The command line tool is called certutil. It has many parameters and powerful functions. The running syntax for calculating the hash value of a file is:

 Certutil - hashfile filename MD5//Verify MD5 Certutil - hashfile filename SHA1//Verify SHA1 Certutil - hashfile filename SHA256//Verify SHA256

Where filename is the name of the file to be verified, followed by the name of the hash algorithm. The supported hash algorithms include MD2, MD4, MD5, SHA1, SHA256, SHA384, SHA512, and so on. "//" is followed by a comment, which does not need to be entered when using. The running example is shown in the following figure:

2、 PowerShell command line tool provided with Microsoft Windows system

Microsoft Windows has its own PowerShell. The command to calculate the file hash value is get filehash. An example of how to use it is as follows:

 get-filehash filename -Algorithm MD5 | Format-List get-filehash filename -Algorithm SHA1 | Format-List

-The algorithm is followed by the hash algorithm name. It supports MD5, SHA1, SHA256, SHA384, SHA512, MACTripleDES, RIPEMD160 and other hash algorithms. | Format List is used to beautify the output result style. It can also be left blank.

For convenience, we have created a right-click menu item, which can be used to calculate the hash value quickly.

3、 MyHash is a tool that uses parallel computing, makes full use of multi-core CPU performance, and quickly calculates file hash values

Features:
1. Only common CRC32, MD5, SHA1, SHA256, and SHA512 algorithms are supported;
2. Support multi-core CPU parallel computing, greatly improving computing speed;
3. Support drag and drop operation of multiple files or folders;
4. Support parameter startup (parameter is one or more file or folder paths);
5. Support saving personal settings (saved in the registry by default, if there is an ini file with the same name, it will be saved in the ini file);
6. Support hash value comparison (string search function);
7. Supports stopping and restarting calculation operations;
8. Support Windows7 taskbar progress bar effect;

Publishing address (non open source):
https://github.com/drag0n-app/MyHash

4、 FHash is an open source hash calculator that supports Windows and MacOS platforms and has been launched in the Microsoft App Store

Functional features

• Support MD5, SHA1, SHA256 and SHA512
• Support file dragging
• Support to add right-click menu, and store application version supports new right-click menu
• Support Windows 7 (only 2. x), Windows 10 (1903) or higher (x64 and arm64)
• Support macOS 11 or higher
• Dark mode is supported
• Support Chinese and English interface switching

Project address:
https://github.com/sunjw/fhash

Store address:
https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/fhash/9P4CLCRV93DQ

Classic

Store version

5、 Software media file master v1.1.6.0

Soft media file master is a computer file management tool. The software is extracted from the soft media cube, which is very small and only 400K in size. The software functions are very practical, with multiple functions such as file smashing, file inspection, file segmentation and merging, file unlocking, and image seed synthesis, which can help users manage files well.

Official website:
https://mofang.ruanmei.com/

6、 Open source HashTool, developed based on C # language, built by Visual Studio

HashTool supports hash computation of files, folders or texts. Parallel computation is used when multiple algorithms are selected. In addition, it also provides the functions of result export and comparison box verification. It supports high-resolution DPI screens. However, there are some small problems and sometimes bugs crash for no reason.

Function introduction:

• Mode: There are 3 modes (file, folder and text). In the "Folder" mode, only the files in this folder will be calculated, and the files in its subfolders will not be calculated.
• Input: Input "File Path", "Folder Path" or "Text" in the above input box, and select the corresponding mode for calculation. You can drag and drop "File" or "Folder" to get the path automatically, or click the "Browse..." button in the upper right corner to get the "Path".
• Algorithms: multiple algorithms are provided（ CRC32 、 MD4 、 MD5 、 SHA1 、 SHA2 series 、 SHA3 series 、 Blake2B Series 、 Blake2S Series 、 Keccak Series 、 QuickXor ）。
• Character encoding: in text mode, you can select the encoding format of the text.
• View Results: View the current calculation results. View Historical Results is available in the drop-down list of the View Results button to view all historical results.
• Save results: 4 formats are supported: yaml 、 json 、 txt and xml 。 There is "Save Historical Results" in the drop-down list of the "Save Results" button to save all historical results.
• contrast. Enter hash values in the bottom two text boxes for automatic comparison, which is not case sensitive.
• Progress bar: the main progress bar displays the calculation of the current task progress, and the left sub progress bar is used to display the overall task progress.

Project address:
https://gitee.com/KiyanYang/HashTool/

7、 Hash v1.04 is small and exquisite, only 29KB in size

This software has a long history. It is very small, only 29KB in size, and 67KB in Chinese version. The disadvantage is that it supports few algorithms and does not support high resolution.

Official website:
https://keir.net/software.html

8、 Hasher Pro 3.3.0 A Proper Hilbert Calculator

Official website:
http://www.den4b.com/products/hasher

9、 Open source HashCheck property tab integrated hash calculator

The previous introduction is in the form of independent software, and the other one is in the form of resource manager plug-in, namely, open-source HashCheck and attribute tab integration.

How to uninstall? The software needs to be uninstalled in the programs and functions of the control panel.

Project address:
https://code.kliu.org/hashcheck/

New project address:
https://github.com/gurnec/HashCheck

10、 HashTab v6.0.0.34 Attribute Tab Integrated Hash Calculator

Similar to the previous one, but this is a commercial software.

Download address

We have introduced so many Hash calculation tools. The following is a summary of these software installation packages. You can choose appropriate software to use.

Good soft recommendation · file verification Hash hash calculation gadget summary and sharing
Baidu online disk: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1HJii1OslsxL-cOlZC5iTHw?pwd=z5ar
123 Cloud Disk: https://www.123pan.com/s/PjcA-mfNRA.html
Quark cloud disk: https://pan.quark.cn/s/16d7fa0173ee