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Software that allows you to view files in your computer in binary format

Software that allows you to view files in your computer in binary format

Vote: (8 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: ProXoft L.L.C.

Version: 6.16.01.01

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(8 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

ProXoft L.L.C.

6.16.01.01

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Opens files as read-only to limit damage
  • Finds text in several formats
  • Extremely lightweight

Cons

  • Lacks support for named streams
  • May not find data stored in compressed or encrypted archives

Binary Viewer is a file explorer that shows you data stored in files at the most primitive level. Users can rely on the app's integrated search feature to find text in files, even if they're not actually formatted as documents. For instance, you could open an executable program with Binary Viewer and then start to search for text strings inside of it.

Power users could also look for individual binary or hexadecimal patterns, which makes the software extremely attractive to system programmers who need to track memory coordinates. Those writing full applications will appreciate the fact that they can also look for patterns in UTF8 or straight Unicode as well as ASCII.

Specialists who work primarily with Apple hardware can use Binary Viewer to find MacRoman formatted text in older BinHex files even if they don't have access to any actual Apple hardware. While the software runs entirely on Microsoft Windows, it can open files of any type as long as their bytes are stored in a single stream. You could even theoretically use the program to directly view the contents of disk drives if you were running it with elevated permissions.

In spite of the fact that Binary Viewer strives to be a simple app, it does allow you to specify offsets and create bookmarks. This makes it ideal for working with larger binary files, which would be impossible to parse otherwise. You can also configure a few custom display settings.

Most importantly, users are free to pick out their own fixed pitch font so all of the columns in the app's main screen will align together.

Pros

  • Opens files as read-only to limit damage
  • Finds text in several formats
  • Extremely lightweight

Cons

  • Lacks support for named streams
  • May not find data stored in compressed or encrypted archives