Our verdict: HxD is the classic free hex editor for Windows: it opens huge files instantly, edits raw disks and process memory, and stays simple. Search, checksums, file compare and export to source code cover most everyday binary work. It has no structure templates or scripting, and the last release dates from 2021.
About HxD
HxD is written by Maël Hörz. It opens files of up to 8 exabytes instantly and edits them like a text editor, with insert and overwrite modes, unlimited undo and highlighted changes. It can also read and write raw disks and drives, such as hard disks and USB flash drives, and edit the main memory of running processes.
Other tools include searching and replacing text, hex values, integers and floats, a simple file compare, checksums and digests such as CRC, MD5, SHA-1 and SHA-512, export to Pascal, C, Java, C# or VB.NET source code and to Intel HEX or Motorola S-record files, a file shredder, file splitting and joining, and byte statistics. HxD is free for private and commercial use and comes as an installable and a portable edition.
What it does well
- Huge files. Opens files up to 8 EB instantly, with fast editing and unlimited undo.
- Disk editor. Reads and writes raw disks and drives, which requires administrator rights.
- RAM editor. Edits the memory of running processes, with memory sections folded.
- Search and replace. Finds text, hex values, integers and floats in any direction.
- Checksums and export. Computes CRC, MD5 and SHA hashes and exports data as source code.
Who it is for
Good fit
Developers, modders and technicians who need a quick, reliable hex editor for files, disks or memory.
Look elsewhere
Reverse engineers who need structure templates, a disassembler or scripting.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free for private and commercial use
- Opens very large files instantly
- Edits raw disks and process memory
- Portable edition available
Cons
- No structure templates, disassembler or scripting
- Last release, version 2.5, is from 2021
- Installer is packed in a ZIP file
How to install HxD
The button downloads HxDSetup.zip; extract it and run the setup, which installs HxD with English and many other languages. A portable edition is on the same download page. Editing a disk requires running HxD as administrator, and Windows will not let you write to the system drive while it is running.
Questions about HxD
Is HxD free?
Yes. HxD is free of charge for private and commercial use. Only selling it is not allowed.
Can HxD edit a hard drive directly?
Yes. The disk editor reads and writes raw disks when you run HxD as administrator. Since Windows Vista you must unmount a disk before writing to it, and the system drive cannot be changed while Windows is running.
Does HxD have a portable version?
Yes. Both an installable and a portable edition are available on the official download page.
