There are plenty of tools available to help you calculate file hashes, but using them may not always be convenient. You’ll need to load the application, import your files, choose appropriate options, export the hashes, maybe more.

If you get tired of all this, though, you could always install the free HashTab, which makes life much easier. Just right-click a file, select Properties > File Hashes, and maybe copy your hash of choice to the clipboard in a couple of clicks.

By default this may not look too impressive, as your choice of hash functions is relatively small: just CRC-32, MD5 and SHA-1.

Right-click, File > Properties and your hashes are right there

Click Settings, though, and you’ll find a full list of the functions on offer, including Adler32, CRC32, MD2, MD4, MD5, RIPEMD(128,256,320), SHA-1/ 256/ 384/ 512, Tiger, and Whirlpool. Check the boxes next to your preferred options and they’ll be available next time.

Once your preferred hash is displayed in the dialog, you can copy it to the clipboard by right-clicking the value and selecting Copy. (There are also options to construct and copy appropriate magnet links, if you prefer – another time-saving touch.)

And a Hash Comparison box allows you to hash another file for an immediate comparison. Again, all within the regular Properties dialog.

The program won’t be right for every application, of course. If you need to find the hashes of 50 separate files then the right-click, Properties > File Hashes sequence will quickly become a little tired.

HashTab will do just fine for many situations, though – and it’s also convenient, comprehensive and very easy to use.