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HxD is a lightweight, free and portable hex editor utility for editing files, drives, and memory at the byte level. This versatile freeware tool is trusted by programmers, reverse engineers, and technical users for viewing and modifying raw data structures in a clean, easy to use IDE.

HxD | Lightweight Binary Editor for Windows

HxD works with low-level data, making it ideal for inspecting and altering the internal structure of files, disk images, and memory content. With support for hexadecimal and ASCII views, it lets users dive directly into the raw data of executables, media files, device sectors, or active RAM — all from within a portable, no-install package.

How HxD Works

Designed for practical, task-based editing, HxD behaves much like a text editor but operates at a much lower level. It includes features like search and replace, file comparison, bookmarks, file shredding, statistics, and byte-level navigation using keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl + Left/Right.

Note: Accessing disk editing features requires administrator privileges. This is a Windows system limitation, not a tool restriction — since modifying raw disk areas (like the MBR, partition tables, or boot sectors) can impact file systems and boot configurations.

HxD’s compact size (around 1.6 MB) and portability make it an excellent choice for technicians or developers needing a reliable editor they can run from a USB stick. If you like this tool, you may also want to try HexPlorer, which offers similar features with a different interface.

Key Features

Hex and ASCII Display: View and edit files using a side-by-side hexadecimal and character representation for better readability.
Efficient Large File Handling: Load and work with large files (even several gigabytes) without lag.
Direct Binary Editing: Modify individual bytes, groups of bytes, or entire structures with full control.
Binary Comparison: Compare two files at the binary level to detect changes or tampering.
Checksums & Hashes: Generate MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256, and other cryptographic hashes to verify data integrity.
Advanced Search & Replace: Look for specific byte patterns or sequences and quickly make global changes.
Data Export Options: Export edited content as plain text, C/C++ arrays, hex strings, and more.
RAM and Disk Access: Edit live memory or disk sectors — useful for debugging, forensics, or recovery work.
Customizable Interface: Adjust the layout and behavior to fit your workflow preferences.
Plugin Support: Extend functionality with custom plugins or user-contributed tools.
Data Analysis Tools: Use built-in functions to explore and understand the internal patterns of complex file types.

Specifications & Download

Official Website: Project Page
Developer: Maël Hörz
Initial Release: 2003
Size: Approx. 1.6 MB
License: Freeware
Compatibility: Windows 7, 8, 10, 11
Category: File & Memory Utility
Price: Free
Editor’s Rating: ★★★★
Download:
Download HxD (Portable ZIP)

Final Take on the HxD Portable Hex Editor

In Summary, whether you’re modifying files, analyzing raw memory content, or inspecting boot sectors, HxD provides a dependable and streamlined solution for byte-level editing. Its balance of power, portability, and simplicity has earned it a lasting place in the toolkits of developers, hobbyists, and IT professionals. For a free, no fluff binary editor that gets the job done, this free hex editor remains a top tier option.