You can't tell whether two files are identical just by looking at them, but your computer can figure it out by reducing the contents of each file to a single number and comparing the two. To do this it uses a set of calculations known as a hashing algorithm. The free and incredibly simple DigestIT uses the MD5 and SHA-1 algorithms. Just select one or more files and right-click them; DigestIT's context menu lets you instantly choose a hashing algorithm or verify files against a hash. Generated hashes can be saved to the clipboard or a file. In our tests, DigestIT processed a 2GB file without trouble. It's a handy little tool for software developers and cryptography buffs.
None I've run into, and I've been using it for at least 4 years.
Summary
This piece of software is a great example of KISS. It does one thing and does it really well. The fact it hasn't needed an update since 2005 is a testament to the care in which it was originally designed. Kudos to the creators!
Works on 64-bit!
delphistream
Pros
1) 64-bit Version available on Vendor's site.
2) Simple and effective.
3) Driven by context-menu.
Cons
1) Download.com's version is x86, not 64-bit.
2) Hash window feels too small.
Summary
I've used HashOnClick for years, but it broke my heart when I installed it on my 64-bit machine and found it didn't work. Then I head that digestIT supports 64-bit. I installed it, but that didn't work either. Then I realized that download.com's version was x86 (stupid me). Found x64 on the vendor site, love it.
didn't work on my w2k setup with an 8gb file
turnkit
Pros
installer had nice graphics but...
Cons
program said file size was -1 bytes... hmmm... not ready for y2k? please update guys... thanks for the program -- hope it can work with large files soon
Summary
Incredibly Simple!
cykl0n
Pros
Install took seconds; and the fact that it's built into Explorer makes it incredibly easy.
Cons
Summary
Does exactly what you need
heyTDG
Pros
Create or compare MD5 or SHA-1 with a right-click of the mouse.
Cons
Summary
it works well
reddmaniak
Pros
it's simple
Cons
Summary
Easy to use; can copy or save the result; versatile
Merco
Pros
Simply right-click on the file, and away one goes. Choose the option one requires. And inspect, copy, or save the result.
Cons
Summary
Every nice... efficient and easy
ohyourgod
Pros
can quickly get md5 or verify by right clicking on any file
Calculate or verify an MD5 or SHA-1 hash.digestIT 2004 allows you to easily calculate or verify an MD5 or SHA-1 hash by right-clicking on the file in Explorer. Copy the results to the clipboard or save them to a file. Can calculate the MD5 or SHA-1 for multiple files, but will not re-curse into folders. Can verify only one file at a time.