Key Details of MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility
- Generate and verify MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256 and SHA-512 hashes of a file
- Last updated on 01/30/14
- There have been 0 updates within the past 6 months
- The current version has 3 flags on VirusTotal
Raymond Lin’s MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility is a standalone freeware tool that generates and verifies cryptographic hashes in MD5 and SHA-1. Cryptographic hash functions are commonly used to guard against malicious changes to protected data in a wide variety of software, Internet, and security applications, including digital signatures and other forms of authentication. Two of the most common cryptographic hash functions are the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) and Message Digest Algorithm-5 (MD5). Checksum utilities are used to verify the integrity of generated hashes. There are two basic types: those that calculate checksum values and those that also validate them by checking them against a list of values for the protected data, which is the only way it can be done.
The program has a basic, utterly functional interface that should pose no trouble for anyone with the knowledge and skill to actually need it. To generate or verify a hash, you simply browse to the file of choice, select either MD5 or SHA-1, and click either Copy to generate the hash or Verify to check its integrity. A Paste function automatically enters the generated hash for verification at the click of a button.
Recent updates have expanded the utility’s compatibility, making it fully operational with Windows 10 and 11, ensuring continued usability for modern systems. Additionally, the tool now supports SHA-256, a newer cryptographic hash function widely adopted due to its enhanced security over MD5 and SHA-1. This update makes the utility suitable for verifying hashes of files from newer software distributions, which often rely on SHA-256 as the default standard. Despite these enhancements, the program retains its lightweight build, with the current version still under 100 KB, preserving its reputation as a compact and efficient solution.
MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility is free to download and use, though Ray accepts donations from satisfied users. At a mere 57k, his checksum tool is about as small as a useful, functioning utility can be in this age of bloatware, and even more so considering that it’s certified to work in Windows Vista and 7.
Comparison with an alternative: HashCalc
HashCalc, another widely used checksum utility, provides similar functionality but with a broader range of supported algorithms, including MD4, MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and CRC32. While HashCalc’s interface offers more flexibility in selecting algorithms, it is less intuitive for beginners compared to Raymond Lin’s tool. HashCalc also requires users to configure settings manually, which may be cumbersome for casual users needing quick hash generation or verification.
Bottom Line
In contrast, MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility focuses on simplicity and speed. Its automated Paste function and streamlined process for hash generation make it a more user-friendly option, especially for those primarily working with MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256. However, for users who require advanced capabilities or a broader algorithm range, HashCalc remains a more versatile choice, albeit at the cost of increased complexity.
By incorporating support for SHA-256 while maintaining its minimalist design, MD5 & SHA-1 Checksum Utility continues to stand out as an excellent tool for quick, reliable checksum verification.
What’s new in version 2.1
- Included SHA-512 hash
- Introduced Pro version
- Improved Drag and Drop function
- Minor bug fixes
Full Specifications
- GENERAL
- Release
- January 30, 2014
- Latest update
- November 22, 2024
- Version
- 2.1
- OPERATING SYSTEMS
- Platform
- Windows
- Operating System
- Windows XP
- Windows 7
- Windows 10
- Windows 8
- Windows Server
- Windows 2003
- Windows Vista
- Additional Requirements
- Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
- POPULARITY
- Total Downloads
- 720,848
- Downloads Last Week
- 334
