It's happened to everyone: you download a large file, like a piece of software or a game, and when you try to run it, you get an error: "File is corrupt." This happens when data is lost or altered during the download. Luckily, there's a simple way to check if your file is a perfect copy *before* you run it.
What is a File Checksum?
A checksum is a "digital fingerprint" of a file. It's a unique string of characters generated by a hashing algorithm (like MD5 or SHA-1). If even one single bit in the file changes, the checksum will change completely. This makes it a perfect tool for verifying that your file is identical to the original.
How to Verify a File in 3 Steps
Here’s how easy it is to check your downloads:
- Find the Official Checksum. Reputable websites that offer downloads often provide the MD5 or SHA-1 hash next to the download link. Copy this original hash.
- Generate Your Own Checksum. Use a tool to generate the hash of the file you just downloaded onto your computer.
- Compare the Two. Paste the original hash and compare it to the one you generated. If they match exactly, your file is 100% perfect and safe. If they don't match, you should delete your copy and download it again.
You don't need to install any software to do this. You can generate a checksum for any file right in your browser.