Hash CrOmp

Hash CrOmp intends to compare a file checksum with a reference checksum (which is generally near the download link), therefore it permits to create hashes easily too (MD2, MD4, MD5 or SHA1).

Verifying downloaded files is always a good idea, it allows to verify if what we get is what the author intends to diffuse, without any modification of any kind.

You can watch it in action on Softoxi site in a short and explicit flash movie.

Comparison :

copy the reference hash into clipboard,

drag and drop the file to check on hcromp.exe.

Hash CrOmp will guess the hash type in memory, then calculate the dropped file hash according to guessed algorithm* and compare it with the one in memory. If the 2 checksums are equal field will become green, else red.

Creation :

Drag and drop a file on hcromp.exe, which will open and gives you the MD5 hash (default).

If you wish to change starting algorithm*, make a shortcut to hcromp.exe and modify the target field by adding the wished algorithm as argument (MD2*, MD4*, MD5 or SHA1).

In exemple: To start with SHA1; put the following into target field: c:\temp\hcromp.exe sha1

Then, when you want a SHA1, drop the file on this shortcut.

Different cases :

• If you copy a checksum in memory before opening hcromp.exe:

Auto-select algorithm depending on the hash keeped in memory*,

If you opened Hash CrOmp by dropping a file on it, it calculates its hash with algorithm detected at previous step,

Immediate comparison between the two hashes.

• If you didn't copy a hash in memory before opening hcromp.exe:

Auto-calculate the MD5 of the dropped file (or algorithm given as argument**).

• Once Hash CrOmp is open:

Manual selection of algorithm : MD2, MD4, MD5 or SHA-1.

drag & drop of file to hash in dedicated field, or clic on

to select the file to hash.

Hash case is switchable (uper/lowercase).

Copy calculated hash to clipboard.

Copy hash in memory into hash reference field. If there is a file already selected and algorithm pasted* is a different type from file algorithm calculated, auto-calculate the file checksum with the new algorithm and compare.

*If at the launch of Hash CrOmp you've got a valid hash in memory, program will choose it instead of the one given as argument.

*As making a difference between MD2, MD4 or MD5 isn't possible, MD5 will be selected when launching Hash CrOmp directly. If you open it via a shortcut which contains an algorithm as argument, it will be keeped if it is of the same type as the one in memory (MDx or SHA1). Same logic applies to

button, if you paste an MD2 or MD5 checksum while MD4 is the algorithm selected, MD4 will stay selected.

* Windows 2000 and XP won't show and icons, because of incompatibility with compressed PNG.

Because of its simplicity, this tool lack of every options that you can find in a software like Checksum from Cor, which I advise to you if you wish to do more complex operations with SHA1 and MD5 algorithms.

You can also find other alternatives at AlternativeTo.net.