Verify checksum on windows

For example, websites that offer large downloads will often publish the checksum of the file. After you download the file you can recompute the checksum and compare it to the original. If the two match - voila! Another practical application: Image backup applications typically create a checksum for each backup.

Since images might be moved from one storage drive to another, and every transfer introduces the possibility, however small, that the image will be corrupted, before restoring a backup I can recompute 'verify' the checksum to ensure that the image is still intact. Microsoft used to publish the checksums for Windows ISOs but lately they've stopped doing that. No reason given of which I'm aware - it's a big secret.

Thanks for accurately clarifying the purpose and use of checksums. They're about ensuring the integrity of the contents of the file for security and practical purposes, and they're often used. I think Microsoft may not publish checksums for Windows files because it prefers the fsutil, which allegedly checks file integrity and restores accurate versions of corrupt files from the Windows cache.

But we never really know why it does anything. One method uses the command certutil in the command prompt window. This thread is locked. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit. How satisfied are you with this discussion? Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site. This is one of those terrific little utilities that you never knew you needed. How satisfied are you with this reply?

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Clear instructions. Easy to follow. No jargon. Pictures helped. Didn't match my screen. Incorrect instructions. Too technical.

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