Amazing free Hex Editor and Disk Editor for editing hexadecimal code

HxD Hex Editor

HxD Hex Editor

  -  3.29 MB  -  Freeware
  • Latest Version

    HxD Hex Editor 2.5.0 LATEST

  • Review by

    Daniel Leblanc

  • Operating System

    Windows XP / Vista / Windows 7 / Windows 8 / Windows 10

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    Maël Horz / External Link

  • Filename

    HxDSetup.exe

  • MD5 Checksum

    4f9e75a41d02666cd5cc86bd33a578fe

HxD Hex Editor is a carefully designed and fast hex editor for Windows PC which, additionally to raw disk editing and modifying of main memory (RAM), handles files of any size. The easy to use interface offers features such as searching and replacing, exporting, checksums/digests, insertion of byte patterns, a file shredder, concatenation or splitting of files, statistics, and much more.

HxD Hex Editor Screenshot 1

Editing works like in a text editor with a focus on simple and task-oriented operation, as such functions were streamlined to hide differences that are purely technical.

For example, drives and memory are presented similar to a file and are shown as a whole, in contrast to a sector/region-limited view that cuts off data that potentially belong together. Drives and memory can be edited the same way as a regular file including support for undo. In addition, memory-sections define a foldable region and inaccessible sections are hidden by default. HxD Hex Editor for PC is free of charge for private and commercial use.

Furthermore, a lot of effort was put into making operations fast and efficient, instead of forcing you to use specialized functions for technical reasons or arbitrarily limiting file sizes. This includes a responsive interface and progress indicators for lengthy operations.

Overview

HxD is a powerful, fast, and efficient tool for editing hex code and binary files. Designed to meet the needs of programmers, developers, and tech enthusiasts, it offers a wide array of features that make it a versatile and reliable choice for hex editing.

Developed by Maël Hörz, this software has become a staple in the toolkit of many professionals due to its robustness and user-friendly interface. HxD allows users to edit files of any size, perform raw disk editing, and even modify RAM, making it an indispensable tool for various advanced tasks.

Main Features

File Handling
Capable of handling large files, including those larger than 4 GB, with ease. Users can also edit disk sectors, as well as memory sections of processes.

Data Visualization
Displays data in hexadecimal, decimal, and binary formats. It also supports text encoding conversions.

Search and Replace
Allows searching and replacing data using both hexadecimal and text strings, with support for regular expressions.

File Comparison
Facilitates the comparison of two binary files, highlighting the differences for easy analysis.

Data Inspection
Features a data inspector that interprets data in multiple formats, such as integer, float, and time.

Bookmarks
Users can set bookmarks to easily navigate and manage their editing tasks.

Checksums and Hashes
Supports a variety of checksum algorithms and hash functions, useful for verifying data integrity.

File Export
Allows exporting data in different formats, such as source code and formatted text.

Full Features
  • RAM-Editor
  • To edit the main memory
  • Memory sections are tagged with data-folds
  • Disk-Editor (Hard disks, floppy disks, ZIP-disks, USB flash drives, CDs, ...): RAW reading and writing of disks and drives
  • Instant opening regardless of file-size
  • Up to 8EB; opening and editing is very fast
  • Liberal but safe file sharing with other programs
  • Flexible and fast searching/replacing for several data types
  • Data types: text (including Unicode), hex-values, integers and floats
  • Search direction: Forward, Backwards, All (starting from the beginning)
  • File compare (simple)
  • View data in Ansi, DOS, EBCDIC, and Macintosh character sets
  • Checksum-Generator: Checksum, CRCs, Custom CRC, SHA-1, SHA-512, MD5 and more
  • Exporting of data to several formats
  • Source code (Pascal, C, Java, C#, VB.NET)
  • Formatted output (plain text, HTML, Richtext, TeX)
  • Hex files (Intel HEX, Motorola S-record)
  • Insertion of byte patterns
  • File tools
  • File shredder for safe file deletion
  • Splitting or concatenating of files
  • Basic data analysis (statistics)
  • Graphical representation of the byte/character distribution
  • Helps to identify the data type of a selection
  • Byte grouping
  • 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 bytes packed together into one column
  • "Hex only" or "text only"-modes
  • Progress-window for lengthy operations
  • Shows the remaining time
  • Button to cancel
  • Modified data is highlighted
  • Unlimited undo
  • "Find updates..."-function
  • Easy to use and modern interface
  • Goto address
  • Printing
  • Overwrite or insert mode
  • Cut, copy, paste insert, paste write
  • Clipboard support for other hex editors
  • Visual Studio/Visual C++, WinHex, HexWorkshop
  • Bookmarks
  • Ctrl+Shift+Number (0-9) sets a bookmark
  • Ctrl+Number (0-9) goes to a bookmark
  • Navigating to nibbles with Ctrl+Left or Ctrl+Right
  • Flicker-free display and fast drawing
User Interface

It boasts a clean and intuitive interface designed to maximize productivity. The main window is divided into three primary sections: the hex display area, the character display area, and the data inspector.

Users can easily navigate through the file using the scroll bars or by jumping to specific offsets. The toolbar and menus are well-organized, providing quick access to frequently used features. Customizable color schemes and a tabbed document interface further enhance the user experience, allowing multiple files to be edited simultaneously.

Installation and Setup
  • Download: Visit the official website or FileHorse and download the latest version of HxD Hex Editor.
  • Run Installer: Execute the downloaded installer file.
  • Accept License Agreement: Read and accept the license agreement to proceed.
  • Choose Installation Directory: Select the desired installation directory or use the default path.
  • Install: Click 'Install' to begin the installation process. Once completed, it will be ready to use.
  • Launch: Open the tool from the start menu or desktop shortcut.
How to Use
  • Opening a File: Launch the app and click on 'File' > 'Open' to select the file you wish to edit.
  • Navigating the File: Use the scroll bar or jump to specific offsets using the 'Goto' feature.
  • Editing Data: Click on the hex or text area to start editing. Type the new values directly.
  • Searching and Replacing: Use the 'Search' menu to find and replace data.
  • Saving Changes: After making edits, save your changes by clicking 'File' > 'Save' or 'Save As'.
  • Using Bookmarks: Set bookmarks to manage complex editing tasks more efficiently.
FAQ

Can HxD edit files larger than 4 GB?
Yes, the tool is designed to handle large files, including those exceeding 4 GB.

Is HxD available for platforms other than Windows?
Currently, this program is only available for Windows.

Can I compare two binary files using HxD?
Yes, it includes a file comparison feature that highlights differences between two binary files.

Does HxD support editing of RAM?
Yes, it allows users to modify RAM and edit memory sections of running processes.

Is HxD free to use?
HxD is freeware, meaning it can be used without any cost.

Alternatives

Hex Editor Neo: It provides powerful data analysis and editing tools, supporting various data operations and inspections.

UltraEdit: UltraEdit is a comprehensive text and hex editor with extensive customization options and support for large files.

Pricing

This program is freeware, making it accessible to all users without any cost. There are no premium versions or paid features, ensuring that all functionalities are available to everyone.

System Requirements
  • Operating System: Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7
  • Processor: 1 GHz or faster
  • Memory: 1 GB RAM
  • Hard Disk Space: 10 MB of free space
  • Display: 800x600 resolution or higher
PROS
  • Freeware with no hidden costs
  • Handles large files efficiently
  • Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • Comprehensive feature set including RAM editing
  • Fast performance and low system requirements
CONS
  • Lacks some advanced features found in professional editors
  • No support for macOS or Linux
  • Lack of official support and updates


  • HxD Hex Editor 2.5.0 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    HxD Hex Editor 2.5.0 Screenshot 1
  • HxD Hex Editor 2.5.0 Screenshot 2
  • HxD Hex Editor 2.5.0 Screenshot 3
  • HxD Hex Editor 2.5.0 Screenshot 4

What's new in this version:

- Hex editor: implement horizontal mouse wheel scrolling (including handling of Logitech driver bug)

Data inspector:
- New: added LEB128/ULEB128 types (variable width integer types used in WASM and dwarf debug information)
- New: introduce readonly type converters (to allow uniform error messages when attempting to change values, also for converter plugins)
- Enhancement: better error handling so that typical errors are caught and a more specific error message is given
- error message for plugin DLLs of wrong machine type (x86-32 vs. x86-64)

Exporters:
- New: skip undefined or unreadable sections, such that Intel Hex and S-Record files can be created that have gaps
- New: source code exporter option to set the maximum text column or bytes per lines (= array elements per line)
- New: SRecord and IntelHex exporters can now have maximum of 250 and 255 bytes per line, respectively
- therefore there is also a new default block size/bytes per line setting for each of the exporters, which have a more common size of 32 (for both)
- allows user to select very large block sizes, yet default to a commonly used size

Importers:
- New: Intel Hex and S-Record support undefined regions of arbitrary size, by creating undefined foldable regions, instead of creating zero filled blocks for them
- Enhancement: rewrite logic to allow for data records that are out of order (addresses aren’t strictly increasing), or overlapping, even when there are gaps of undefined data; previously this could lead to errors, or would only function without undefined data gaps
- Enhancement: Intel Hex and S-Record importers ignore leading and trailing whitespace in a line

Checksums / digests:
- New: custom checksum
- can generate a checksum, with settable bitwidth for the checksum result, the checksum addends, and the endianness
- useful for various exotic formats, such as ROM files

Search window:
- Enhancement: added support for (U)Int24
- use same code as datainspector to convert from string to integer
- improved the naming of floating point and integer types (closer to data inspector)
- searches for both signed and unsigned integers, choosing the right type depending on which fits best (negative numbers => negative type, positive numbers => unsigned type; this is ok, because the positive numbers in the signed type have the same encoding as in the unsigned type; this is a feature of two’s complement encoding of integers)

Tool windows:
- New: menu items and shortcuts to activate and cycle through tool windows
- activates (and shows when hidden) either of: data inspector, checksums, or search results
- implements MRU logic for activation (like Alt+Tab in Windows)
- can be canceled (and originally activated tool window will be restored)
- can handle dockable panels, pagecontrols, and childs of those to handle and keep track of activation
- properly handles switching between back and forward cycling, by switching from Alt+F7 to Alt+Shift+F7, and interrupting cycling when pressing another shortcut
- extended shortcut handling of VCL/Delphi to handle repeated uses of two shortcuts as part of a shortcut sequence, to properly implement MRU handling, and canceling sequencing (which restores the originally activated tool window), or committing the last chosen tool window, as the activated one
- Global shortcut key Esc to focus editor window

PasteFromClipboard:
- do not delete then insert data in pmOverwrite mode, instead, only overwrite
- also ensure selection/caret is restored, and therefore always begin a group if selection is available
- Extensive work to support undefined sections in hex editor that can be deleted, or overwritten, all with undo capability; concerned a lot of supporting internal data structures/algorithms
- allows for support in importing and exporting files with gaps (=undefined sections)
- allows for round-trip handling of Intel Hex or S-Record files

Settings:
- Data type converters only store their friendly type names in the settings/INI file, when the user changes them
- this allows for updating those names from version to version, and having them appear automatically without resetting the data inspector in the options
- also useful for translating HxD, which read the names from the settings when not resetting them, making it appear the translation is not complete
- Fix: entering positive numbers for (U)Int64 results in an out of range error message
- Fix: Search window: “any” bitwidth does not accept positive integers >= 2^63 (since it was limited to signed numbers only, now supports unsigned ones, too)
- Fix: HxD would sometimes not detect it was installed (and not in portable mode), because of a case sensitive path comparison
- Fix: access violation when deleting sections (sections were fixed before, so this bug never triggered)
- Fix: custom checksum computation uses wrong step size to advance in the byte stream it processes; it would advance in steps of the final checksum’s bitwidths, instead of the addend’s bitwidth
- Fix: when overwriting one nibble (key press in hex column) in unaccessible data, set the other nibble to 0 automatically
- Fix: dockable panels could change fonts in docked and undocked/floating modes
- Fix: several type and pointer shorting issues, due to types not compatible with x64; they would cause hard to track bugs in the x64 version of HxD under certain versions/configurations of Win 10 (ensuring everything is allocated in memory above 4GiB, during testing, allowed to track them down)
- issues were in some own code, some third party code, and some Delphi RTL code (TRttiContext, TValue.Make)
- Various other small enhancements and minor fixes