When downloading large files or software from the internet, it’s essential to verify the integrity of the downloaded file. One way to do this is by checking its checksum. A checksum is a unique code generated by hashing the contents of a file using an algorithm. MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 are some of the commonly used hashing algorithms. In this article, we will guide you on how to verify MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 checksum in Windows.

1. Download the Checksum File

The first step is to download the relevant checksum file from the download source. The checksum file will have the file extension .md5, .sha1 or .sha256, depending on the hashing algorithm used.

2. Download the Software

Next, download the software whose checksum you want to verify. Make sure you download the software from a trusted source.

3. Open the Command Prompt

To verify the checksum, you need to open the command prompt. To do this, press the Windows key + R on your keyboard, type cmd in the Run dialog box and click OK.

4. Navigate to the Directory

Once the command prompt is open, navigate to the directory where the downloaded software is saved. To do this, type cd followed by the path of the directory where the downloaded software is saved. For example, if the downloaded software is saved in the Downloads folder, type cd Downloads and press Enter.

5. Verify the MD5 Checksum

To verify the MD5 checksum, type the command CertUtil -hashfile followed by the name of the downloaded software file and the MD5 checksum file. For example, CertUtil -hashfile examplefile.exe MD5checksum.md5.

If the MD5 checksum matches the one in the checksum file, you will see the message “The hash of the file is verified.” If the checksums don’t match, you will see the message “The hash of the file does not match.”

6. Verify the SHA-1 Checksum

To verify the SHA-1 checksum, type the command CertUtil -hashfile followed by the name of the downloaded software file and the SHA-1 checksum file. For example, CertUtil -hashfile examplefile.exe SHA1checksum.sha1.

If the SHA-1 checksum matches the one in the checksum file, you will see the message “The hash of the file is verified.” If the checksums don’t match, you will see the message “The hash of the file does not match.”

7. Verify the SHA-256 Checksum

To verify the SHA-256 checksum, type the command CertUtil -hashfile followed by the name of the downloaded software file and the SHA-256 checksum file. For example, CertUtil -hashfile examplefile.exe SHA256checksum.sha256.

If the SHA-256 checksum matches the one in the checksum file, you will see the message “The hash of the file is verified.” If the checksums don’t match, you will see the message “The hash of the file does not match.”

In conclusion, verifying the integrity of downloaded software is crucial in ensuring that you are downloading genuine and unaltered files. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly verify the MD5, SHA-1, and SHA-256 checksum of files downloaded on your Windows device.