Someone reviewed v on Jul 5, 2022

Pros: 555

Cons: 555

Bottom Line: 555

BANDIT- reviewed v17.8 on Jul 8, 2014

COFEE ... F/w & portable
A bit OFF topic, But down a similar Road..!!

[QUOTE] The paragraph Below is from a "Source" [QUOTE]

Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor (COFEE) is a forensics tool that fits on a USB drive for the police to use in PC forensics.
The software (By Microsoft) is free to police forces around the world and helps access details about crimes such as ................. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-COFEE S/w (is/was) available. That's if SEO hasn't banned active links to it..??
Or if FileHosts have been forced to Remove it..??.. Do some Homework... lol
.WinHex: 3* for being a shareware (similar) Alternative

tomkelly reviewed v17.2 on Aug 22, 2013

love it

juan c reviewed v16.6 on Aug 27, 2012

no se porque tanto drama por el precio de WINHEX si les gusta comprenlo yo hasta este dia estoy usando la version 16.6 SR4
y tan feliz como siempre y eso que uso la version especialista nada mas para recuperar archivos y fotos y megusta como trabaja el programa.
aunque le faltan muchas mas extenciones para ser PERFECTO que cuantas estrtrellas le doy 8 espero que algun dia pueda darle 11

Nightside reviewed v16.0 on Apr 27, 2011

Nyuck

Plumber reviewed v15.8 on Oct 11, 2010

Uh... $45? You need to stop paying attention to way-out-of-date listings. Here are the current prices for WinHex, converted to USD courtesy of Yahoo! Finance:

Personal: $53.34 (37.73 EUR)
Professional: $96.98 (69.90 EUR)
Specialist: $271.78 (195.90 EUR)

I give it a 3 because the usability could use a huge boost.

darkwzrd1 reviewed v15.7 on Jul 29, 2010

Since when is $45.00 dollars a Kings Ransom?

emanresU deriseD reviewed v15.5 on Dec 21, 2009

It costs a king's ransom and the interface needs work and the author is a bit arrogant, but nonetheless it's by far the best hex editor going.

gehtnix reviewed v15.2 on Jan 16, 2009

IMHO still the best tool for cloning hard drives, i must admit that is the main reason i use it for, this and some hex editing. i rate it 5 because of it's unbelievable features.

angrypc reviewed v15.1 on Nov 17, 2008

I'm happy with it; it does do what it's supposed to and very well.

Undesired Username reviewed v15.1 on Sep 19, 2008

Nice try, but I'm not the author of WinHex.

Show me one freeware or open source software title that does ALL that WinHex does, and that does it as well as WinHex does it.

Just one.

I'll be waiting.

Speaking of the author of WinHex, he's doing nicely, and sells more licenses than he can keep up with. This is because he sells to people, companies, and government agencies who have a real need for good, stable software. For these users, OSS just doesn't cut it, with endless sub-version-1 (0.x) releases, stability problems, lack of definitive project timelines and author commitment, and lack of support.

"I prefer free!" just doesn't cut the turd.

agnostic7 reviewed v15.1 on Sep 6, 2008

I don't even know how a customer's nationality has anything to do with a software review but maybe you should try selling your trashware through a nonEnglish-speaking website.

That people want cheaper software is a given.
Anyone wants cheap products.
The price for this buggy software is hefty and has lead to its doom. Plus with opensource everywhere the end of many such projects is inevitable.

Addressing your disdain for the US: good luck
selling your products in other countries.
Oh my bad, nations in the eastern hemisphere lead the world is software piracy so there goes your argument.

Moral: dont bite the hand that feeds you( dont badmouth honest customers ).
Oh, my bad again, you already have.
Hope you have a day job. OSS is the way to go.

Undesired Username reviewed v15.0 SR-2 on Jul 12, 2008

"I can't afford it; therefore, it sucks."

Suddenly I realize why the US is locked into an awful two-party system.

WinHex is very useful but it's a pain to use for data recovery. It's just nowhere near as convenient as utilities like Recuva. (Whether it works better or worse I cannot say.) And I despise selecting a menu item, only to be told that I'm not in the elite crowd who purchased a Specialist license (or higher). If it's not a function available to me, HIDE IT. Or am I still running a demo version, even after I've paid?

Cooledit reviewed v15.0 on Jul 4, 2008

i quite like this

you have good control over hidden entries
made to the hd sectors, that will not go away after i delete the partition, make a new
partition and then do a full format of the drive

entries made by 3dsmax and photoshop (in sector 32)

geronimo13 reviewed v15.0 on Jun 22, 2008

This crapware is overhyped. Stay away from it and
save your money.

gehtnix reviewed v14.9 on Apr 18, 2008

"Hi, please lower the price. it is too much for many of us."

errr...you got any idea what it means to code that
piece of software? if you need a free hexeditor
choose one of the many free tools of that kind.
for all the other features pay for a license, it is
one of the tools that are worth their price. what do
you expect from the author? selling it for 19.95 § ?
BTW: it's about 32.- Euri at the moment :-p

buenamierdaxf reviewed v14.9 on Apr 17, 2008

Hi, please lower the price. it is too much for many of us.

BTW gehtnix, obviously I am not the only one that believes the price is pretty hefty. Look at past posts fyi dude.

Are you the programmer of this software, No? didnt think so, so why dont you just hush.

And if you do have any kind of idea on how to program a piece of software of this high quality why dont you go ahead and do so.

why hello there reviewed v14.5 on Nov 3, 2007

I agree the price is very high. I have not updated in a long time as a result. But WinHex is the best at what it does, as far as I have found. As one example, you may want to waste your time with substandard file recovery utilities (some of which are free), but I would rather use the one that can do the best job of recovering data. Sometimes you may get lucky with the cheap crap, but luck is a funny thing.

hell0 reviewed v14.3 on Aug 10, 2007

WinHex is the best, and always has been. Without exception, the people complaining are just upset that they can't afford it, and/or can't find cracks for it.

P.S. I, like cricri_pingouin, would love to see RAMCheat built into WinHex. I feel with all the money I've spent on WinHex, I deserve it. :)

Administraighter reviewed v14.2 on Jun 30, 2007

How interesting that someone thinks I am the developer of WinHex! I guess it's totally implausible that a user could login and post positive reviews. Oh, yes... I happen to know that the WinHex developer reads these reviews, but I am 99% sure he has never posted a review.

The only type of person who frowns on frequent bug fixes--especially that of software as heavy-duty and complicated in function as WinHex--is a person who knows nothing about software development. The only software that doesn't have bugs is a day-one "Hello, World!" program, and even that is debatable.

Proof of this is the suggestion that WinHex's updates include "minor" or "unnecessary". If you simply read the release notes, it should be plain to you that at least some of the fixes are important (though not necessarily to all users of WinHex).

When I see frequent bug fixes, I am glad that the bugs are being discovered and fixed. When I don't see bug fixes for competitors, I laugh because I know serious bugs must exist, but they either aren't being discovered, reported, or fixed.

cricri_pingouin reviewed v14.2 on Jun 21, 2007

Rating WinHex a 1 is completely unfair. You didn't even try it!
Out of the many times I tried it, I never ever experienced a bug. I did however see new features implemented, and the author is responsive. Thus, I don't see new revisions as fixing a sinking ship, but as improvements over a, allow me to say it, a good product. And again, no, there are no free alternative that even come close. Heck, it opens a 600MB disk image in a blink of an eye to start with.
The only things I'd like to see in winHex:
* Nicer icons. I know, it doesn't matter, and that's what I thought as well, but I have to admit that I like the way Total Commander looks now compared to the Win3.1 icons. Yup, I changed my mind over looks. Not a vital priority, but it's nice to have.
* Inclusion of RAMCheat features. The RAM editor is ok, but I never use it because it's not easy to search and track changes.
* A more complete signatures file. Again, it's nothing to do with the software quality, but it's a bit limited at this stage. If anyone somehow manages to import the Filext.com database, please share it :)

brigidon reviewed v14.2 on Jun 20, 2007

The constant bug fixes on this program can only leave me thinking of two things. First, that it really is as buggy as reviewers of the software say it is or second, that the developer(s) are doing minor and unnecessary modifications and feature them as updates so they can be listed on the main page of betanews. It is unfortunate to see that it seems that the developers themselves are giving their junkware 5 stars in order to lift the ratings of the program and at the same time attacking individuals who are commenting on the quality of winhex.
WinHex is overpriced. You can see the patterns the developers have followed in reducing the cost when customers started complaining. Keep bringing it down or offer it for free but whatever you do quit your whining when customers express their God given right to speak freely about your software.
A 1 star for a buggy program that continually needs updating, and a 1 star for passing junkware for such a hefty price.

Administraighter reviewed v14.0 on Apr 19, 2007

Anyone who honestly thinks there are freeware competitors that have as many features, or are as reliable, seriously need to check into a mental health facility, posthaste.

Just because you installed some freeware hex editor, viewed the contents of Notepad.exe, changed the word "Microsoft" to say "Fart " instead, then dismissed a couple WFP prompts and had a healthy snicker, doesn't mean it's as good as WinHex.

I'm glad we cleared that up.

culoroto reviewed v14.0 on Apr 19, 2007

Ok but compared to free alternatives seems
lacking in features for such a hefty price.

vcorvinus reviewed v13.7 on Jan 24, 2007

No, how to use this application is beyond your understanding, azazel666.

azazel666 reviewed v13.5 on Nov 2, 2006

$45.00 for this weekend project is beyond anyone's understanding.

cricri_pingouin reviewed v13.4 on Oct 12, 2006

This software keeps on getting better and better on an almost daily basis. Rarely did I ever see such a dedication from a software author. I'll give it a 4 this time around.

KAK reviewed v13.2 on Aug 16, 2006

Very nice application bud nothing
for unexperienced users.

P E R F E C T °_°

stopbuggingme reviewed v13.2 Beta on Jul 23, 2006

The bad reviews are from people who (A) Don't know what features WinHex has; (B) Wouldn't know how to use those features, even if they did know about them; and (C) Are angry they can't afford a copy. None of this has to do with the quality of the software.

I use WinHex every time I want to prepare a hard drive to be removed from my system. Rather than hassling around with an agonizingly slow DOS application, WinHex can overwrite an entire disk (minus HPA, of course), and do it very quickly. I do wish it didn't have a silly 3-overwriting-pass limitation built in, though.

Babylon2x reviewed v13.0 SR-3 on Jun 28, 2006

I find it pretty interesting the amount of mixed reviews this software gets, though judging by a lot of the comments people who give it low reviews just do not understand what this software is capable.

Is it just a hex editor? Hell no. You can view your entire harddisk as one big hex file, and write directly to it. It can open the MFT and actually clear out old entries - on NTFS, when a file is deleted you find that the history of its name is often left in the MFT a long long time afterward.

Tools that wipe free space are not doing this job, but WinHex can. If anyone can find a better tool with those kinds of features, I'd love to know about it :)

From my experience of it, it's the best tool out there for that kind of HDD work.

emupaul reviewed v12.9 SR-14 on Jun 7, 2006

this program is god one word
"hack" and for the bad reviews
why? Rock Solid.

bekaye reviewed v12.9 SR-6 on Apr 24, 2006

Continuously updated, new features added regularly, the author wants the software to work well and work right. This is an excellent utility.

DIRKES reviewed v12.9 on Apr 12, 2006

Every 2-3 weeks a new version. Means that, that we generally work with "bananas" software, if we work with WinHex:
If I work like this and present incomplete work, my employeer cancel my job and will send me to the desert.

azazel666 reviewed v12.9 on Apr 11, 2006

Why charging so much for this abomination weekend hobby?

mirkes.de reviewed v12.85 on Mar 18, 2006

What kind of bashing is that here? The nice people at X-Ways have to pay their bills by selling software, and WinHex is far more sophisticated than my hobbyist "piece of crap" tiny hexer, so just rating WinHex low because it is not free is rather lame :-( But just telling "tiny hexer is a piece of crap, but it's free" isn't any better... If the functionality of tiny hexer (or any other free hex editor) suits your needs, just go rate it high ;-) and use it; if you need and/or prefer WinHex, do rate that high and use it. If you do not like them because you think they are not useful, rate them low. But just hating commercial / free software and basing rates on this attitude is of no help... Such flame wars "free vs. commercial software" are really annoying and I plead with you to stop using the name of my hobbyist software in this context!

eviljolly reviewed v12.75 on Jan 6, 2006

Best hex editor out there. Wish it was free though.

bekaye reviewed v12.7 SR-9 on Dec 21, 2005

"I test now this Tiny-HexEditor and it is for 90% of people enough, what this fine tool can do. " - Bachalor

I fall in the 10% category. WinHex is not for everyone. It is a superior product. It has capabilities that exceed the needs of more than 90% of computer users. This is a niche product. The author is steadily adding greater functionality to WinHex. Norton products (Ghost - $69.99, Norton Internet Security - $69.99, Norton Personal Firewall - $49.99) and McAfee products (Internet Security Suite - $69.99, System Mechanic 5 - $39.99), will be useful to many more people and they have similar pricing. These products will have a lifespan of 12 to 24 months before you be asked to pay for an upgrade.

If you have a use and/or need for WinHex, buy it. If you don't want to spend the money, that too is your choice.

arghf reviewed v12.7 SR-4 on Dec 6, 2005

i see no people being attacked. i see someone call reviews idiotic, but not a person. sometimes you need to pay attention.

winhex is limited in trial mode, and this is not unusual. there is a reason for it. but at least the registered version of winhex can handle very large files. tiny hexer cannot.

if you do not need partition, backup, and memory features, you should stop rating software that is beyond your needs and knowledge.

i discovered winhex few weeks ago and will probably register. i do not need a freeware toy, i need something real.

Bachalor reviewed v12.65 SR-9 on Nov 28, 2005

Hi httpd.confused boy.
You wrote:
"I'm going to keep posting reviews for WinHex, just so new users don't come here and see idiotic 1-star non-reviews of it..."
Don't we live in a free world and EVERYONE can tell us his PERSONALLY mind?

"...Tiny Hexer. In short, it's a piece of crap, but it's free."

Who told you, that Winhex is not (a expensive) piece of crap too?
The sharewareversion is absolut crippled, detailed testing with larger files is not possible.
I test now this Tiny-HexEditor and it is for 90% of people enough, what this fine tool can do.
We don't need a memory patch, a "backup" or all this other things, what make a editor unreliably and uneconomically for students or people with restricted money.

Sorry, but this is my personally mind, I hope that I can write my personal opinion here and that httpd.confused allowed it without attacking people.
Thank you.

httpd.confused reviewed v12.65 SR-9 on Nov 26, 2005

I'm going to keep posting reviews for WinHex, just so new users don't come here and see idiotic 1-star non-reviews of it, and nothing else.

If you don't need all the features that WinHex offers, and you're happy with something else, why not just leave it the hell alone?

But since Tiny Hexer was brought up, let me help out anyone who might be goofy enough to listen to one of the reviewers below: Tiny Hexer is free, and a very good example of "You get what you pay for". With Tiny Hexer, you can't search process memory. It also has no memory editing, backup, restore, file recovery, secure deletion, cloning, search, or disk/partition management features that are anywhere near on par with WinHex, and many of those features aren't even present at all in Tiny Hexer. In short, it's a piece of crap, but it's free.

azazel666 reviewed v12.65 SR-9 on Nov 25, 2005

Abysmally expensive for this toy.

Cure110 reviewed v12.65 SR-9 on Nov 25, 2005

Cheap bas****s. This program is for professional use. Average Joe don't need this.

$55 is nothing.

DIRKES reviewed v12.65 SR-9 on Nov 25, 2005

For a standard using like a HEX-editor is 45$ really to expensive!! If you want only edit BIN-files, I recommend each time TiniHexEditor.
The autor of this software works on "donation" base - this is a fair thinking.
There I do not miss a function, which not also WinHex possesses.
Donation therefore rather this author a little thing, before you MUST commercially pay 55$ (incl tax) for WinHex.
Next chicanery in my opinion was, that WinHex not allow to work with file larger than 500 kB (sharewarerestriktion).
What is this for a test?? - I want test it with a bigger file (2,5 MB). Winhex holds pityless the throat for the user, if you test this.
No sorry, we do not need that.

httpd.confused reviewed v12.65 SR-3 on Oct 31, 2005

No, Banquo, the one who is "on crack" is the person who thinks that $55 is out of line for a utility that can do all this. I'm surprised you didn't blather on about how some freeware hex editor is "just as good", while ignoring the fact that it has 1/10 the feature set that WinHex has.

dougau reviewed v12.65 on Oct 28, 2005

Seems nice but it’s really to crippled to evaluate; I really don't see how the author can expect someone to shell out over $50.00 when none of the features in the evaluation copy work. How can one wanting to honestly evaluate this program figure out if it’s worth the money?

Banquo reviewed v12.65 on Oct 27, 2005

It's a nice editor, but $55?? They must be on crack.

httpd.confused reviewed v12.55 SR-4 on Sep 21, 2005

I wasn't going to comment on WinHex anymore, since I don't like catching flak from the author for doing so, but I had to say...

What are you talking about with regard to the interface? That panel you're talking about is the "Details Panel", and it can be easily undocked or totally disabled from the View menu. But in point of fact, the Details Panel can be very handy, depending on what you are editing or viewing.

And if all you want is a "a clean simple page with the hex view of what your looking at along with the satus bar", you can have that. You can even disable the tabs for crying out loud.

Whatever. Sorry, X-Ways.

Crypton reviewed v12.35 SR-3 on Aug 2, 2005

I still like Hiew and HexWorkshop better. At least if I am going to pay. This one is ok, Have to go with a 3..

http://www.hhdsoftware.com/free-hex-editor.html

Free ^^ and while it's not the greatest, it is not half bad either and very clean GUI easy to find what you want and not crowded at all.

Here is another free one
http://www.dreamsyssoft.com/hextreme_free.jsp

Hiew is a great Hex Editor if you do not mind not having the pretty GUI. As far as limitations, Hiew is just shareware, but not crippled like this one.

The status bar on this one is perfect.. All you need really. The side bar with unfo level ect.. its not needed there, waste of space. The paths and explorer are nice, but again, a clean simple page with the hex view of what your looking at along with the satus bar. I vote for the GUI being cleaned up a bit, it can get pretty crowded atm all the info on a single bar while may sound nice, is really overkill.

Rez-9 reviewed v12.30 on Jun 24, 2005

One of the best (if not the best) Hex Editors.

And yeah it's shareware, everything can't be free. If it's to expensive for You, simply don't use it. Programmers deserve their money, especially if the program is good. Why You complain about it and score it 1?

CyberHobo reviewed v12.25 SR-3 on Jun 10, 2005

I've sampled it a little. You can't do much with it since it's evaluation limitations are spooned out like caviar (I happen to like my caviar in buckets). A version is available for the suites and dark sunglass crowd.

bekaye reviewed v12.25 SR-1 on Jun 7, 2005

Come on buckaroos, read a little! Only the FULL version can save files larger than 200Kb.

Bachalor reviewed v12.25 on Jun 3, 2005

No info from the authors, same problem exist.

DIRKES reviewed v12.2 SR-10 on May 23, 2005

I test this actually version of WinHEX. Same problem exist again. Storing bigger files isn't possible.

Bachalor reviewed v12.2 SR-10 on May 22, 2005

I wrote to the german X_Way author(s), whether a favorable student version is planned (Cheaper price??). The guys wrote impudently, that doesn't pass interest in students. Funny behavior, little kindness for people like us. I give only a point for this arrogance, sorry but the fault doesn't lie on me.

Dirk van Hoofen reviewed v12.2 SR-8 on May 19, 2005

A really testing is not possible, because with this shareware you cannot work with larger files 200kB. Useless for a really good test.
This software doesn't correspond to the specifications of the shareware union (ASM).

httpd.confused reviewed v12.2 SR-8 on May 18, 2005

Whatever, cheapskate; I don't even know what you're struggling to say. "Cheaper free ones", now that's a phrase I'll have to pepper conversations with... If I want people thinking I'm half-baked, that is. I notice you didn't list any of those mysterious "better cheaper free ones" here.

anomoly reviewed v12.2 SR-5 on May 14, 2005

There are better cheaper free ones.
To httpd.confused: The harder they make this prog to use the less it will be. F keys & serials

httpd.confused reviewed v12.20 on May 2, 2005

What's new in WinHex

DIRKES reviewed v12.15 SR-4 on Apr 22, 2005

Permanently probs if I want store a file with this sharewareversion.

Bachalor reviewed v12.15 SR-4 on Apr 22, 2005

I use a company license, our code replaced within 2 months 3 times, this is normal? - I think not. Maybe we change now to another "cheaper" hexedit, if the problem still exist.

The same sharewareproblem exist incontrovertibly again, a really intensive and meaningful tests with bigger files gets impossible.

httpd.confused reviewed v12.15 SR-4 on Apr 21, 2005

Your license code is good throughout the entire period for which you are entitled updates, typically 12 months. What I suspect you are incoherently whining about is that they've blacklisted your illegitimate serial, and in that case, too bad.

Hmmm... DIRKES = Bachalor? Seems likely to me. If you have a legitimate license, why do you care about trial version restrictions? Oh, I get it--you only care each time your pirated serial number gets blacklisted again. Too bad. Legitimate serial numbers don't stop working every week. Have you tried emailing the author? He replies within about half an hour for crying out loud.

Regardless... Go steal someone else's software. See who misses you.

Bachalor reviewed v12.15 on Apr 19, 2005

1. Every few updates they change the licensecode
2. The sharewarerestriktion is too strong, you can store 200kb files. For a meaningful testing not possibly.
I feel this kind of restrictions as chicanery or arbitrariness

httpd.confused reviewed v12.15 on Apr 18, 2005

WHAT'S NEW IN V12.15?

* The RAM viewer/RAM editor so far was able to load the virtual memory of active processes. In addition to that, it is now possible to view/edit physical RAM (under Windows 2000 and XP).

* Physical access to floppy disks under Windows 2000/XP is now 20% faster than before. Physical access to DVDs under Windows 2000/XP can now read protected sectors.

* Logical search operations can now optionally extract and decode the text contained in Adobe PDF documents, Corel WordPerfect (WPD), Corel Draw (CDR), and Microsoft Visio (VSD) files and search the plaintext automatically. Potential search hits in such files would otherwise be missed because these file types typically store text in an encoded, encrypted or otherwise garbled way. This feature requires the separate viewer component to be active for the decoding and text extraction part. ( http://www.x-ways.net/forensics/viewer.html )

* Listings of search hits now usually allow you to open the corresponding file that contains the hit and (in the case of logically found search hit) automatically jump to the seach hit position. This is particularly useful for compressed files or files with search hits in decoded raw text only, where no physical disk offsets corresponds to the search hits and could be shown. Both physical and relative (=logical) offsets are now displayed for logical search hits, if available, in separate columns.

* If many thousand search hits or bookmarks were listed and highlighting was enabled, the display previously became rather slow. This problem was solved now.

* Logical searches in directories now include the directory data itself, i.e. directory entries in FAT and INDX records in NTFS will be searched as well.

* Filesystem areas such as the file allocation table, Ext2/ Ext3 inodes or the internal Reiser tree can now be logically searched in a convenient way via a new fictitious item named "Filesystem areas" in the directory browser, similar to "Free Space".

* When importing folders with hash set files, it is now possible to import these files into a single hash set in the internal database, that is unify them under one name.

* Importing folders with many hash set files into the internal hash database is now considerably faster. The same holds true for deleting hash sets from a very large internal database.

* Access to data in raw image files (since v12.1 SR-4) and evidence files has generally become somewhat faster.

* When loading very large files with the separate viewer takes too much time, you can now abort the process in a convenient way.

* Right-clicking a file in the directory browser (to bring up the context menu) no longer triggers the preview to refresh and possibly delay the context menu.

* There is now a legend that explains icons, colors, and attributes listed in the directory browser. (forensic licenses only, since v12.1 SR-2)

* There is now an optional column "File Type Category" in the directory browser. (forensic licenses only, since v12.1 SR-3)

* ATA password protection can now be detected on hard disks under Windows 2000 and XP by creating a Media Details Report (since v12.1 SR-4). If detected, the protection level is reported and whether or not the master password has been changed from factory default.

* Previous versions of X-Ways Forensics and WinHex allowed the user to enter a segment size for evidence files of up to 2047 MB. Under special circumstances a set of evidence files apparently could have become corrupt if this limit was fully or nearly utilized. This error can be easily detected because it results in the immediate error message "Incomplete image" when opening the image. Such corrupted images have to be reacquired. The new limit is 2025 MB and such corruption would now be detected when writing already.

* In previous versions, initializing slack space on NTFS volumes potentially corrupted EFS-encrypted files. This was fixed.

* Many other minor improvements.

cricri_pingouin reviewed v12.1 SR-6 on Apr 14, 2005

I thought you said you were bored and wouldn't comment on this anymore? Not that I mind, I would have given up already if I was arguing with a nitwit. Though I reckon I'm bored too.
Anyway, your argument is that if I got rich, I'd buy any software regardless of their price tags. I'm afraid you are wrong. If I had several million dollars, I'd still watch my pennies and keep hunting for the best deals. I guess that not being born in a particularly wealthy environment, I know the value of each penny I earned. It's not about absolute value, it's not about instantly available cash, it's about value "relative to benefits" (I feel like I'm repeating myself, but I'm trying to formulate it in different ways to see if the message gets delivered better), as opposed to what you misinterpret as "relative to my resources".
To conclude, each one of us will have to download, try and compare this application to form their own educated opinion, and decide whether the price is justified or not.
And I'll leave it to this, I won't come back on the topic since I believe that if people still do not respect my opinion, then they never will. Moreover, the point of a review is to help other users, and an epistolary conversation will not help. Your turn to sigh in relief :)

httpd.confused reviewed v12.1 SR-6 on Apr 13, 2005

Too expensive. I'll stick with freeware. Why do they have to charge so much? I give it 2 stars, barely.

Edit: OK, I just got a promotion at work, so now the price isn't such a big deal to me. I give it 4 stars. Maybe after my holiday bonus later this year, I will give it 5 full stars.

Edit 2: Someone emailed me to say that they come here to see how good or bad software is, and not to see a rating of how big or small my wallet is. They even complained about that four-month stretch where I was unemployed, and gave everything but freeware a 1-star rating, simply because I couldn't afford any software during that period. I find that personally offensive, since I believe that a software site primarily exists to rate income levels, and not software quality. Please keep your comments to yourself from now on, and don't email me again.

(The horse twitched.)

httpd.confused reviewed v12.1 SR-4 on Apr 8, 2005

I didn't say you had to "love" software to try or rate it; only that it doesn't make much sense to try software you know you can't afford.

As for the argument in general, I'm tired of proving the same point over and over. The horse is dead. But I do admit that I'm not very "tolerant" of complete nonsense.

Let me dispense with this once and for all.

Let's say that you, for whatever bizarre reason, try WinHex today, think it is excellent, quality software, but can't afford it. So, you rate it poorly.

Tomorrow, you win the lottery, and suddenly you're rich. So you reinstall WinHex, and now that you can afford it, you come back here and rate it highly.

The software didn't change. Your rating of it did.

If it's not obvious how that makes no sense, then the problem isn't with me--or WinHex.

I'm bored with this and won't comment on it anymore. (Hey--I heard that sigh of relief out there!) Have a lovely... Whatever.

[P.S. My reviews of CPUID aren't because I care, or want it to change; it's just a joke. By the same token, you're free to do the same here, of course.]

cricri_pingouin reviewed v12.1 SR-3 on Apr 7, 2005

Why would you even try and test a software product you knew you couldn't afford?

It has only to do with common sense. (Too bad none of that is for sale.)

I'll let you in on a little secret. You can often save yourself a lot of money--and even get a lot of software for free--if you provide truly useful feedback to software authors. I do this all the time, and I get a lot of software free, or at a reduced price. Usually, beta testing is when this is most practicable. Don't ask for a free license--let them offer it.

httpd.confused reviewed v12.1 SR-3 on Apr 6, 2005

WAAAAAAH!!! I can't afford it! WAAAAAAH!

Nice desperate try, but it still makes no sense to figure price into your review. Why would you even try and test a software product you knew you couldn't afford? You don't see me test driving Ferraris, and then criticizing them because I can't afford to buy one.

And it has nothing to do with "discrimination towards low income class"... It has only to do with common sense. (Too bad none of that is for sale.)

I'll let you in on a little secret. You can often save yourself a lot of money--and even get a lot of software for free--if you provide truly useful feedback to software authors. I do this all the time, and I get a lot of software free, or at a reduced price. Usually, beta testing is when this is most practicable. Don't ask for a free license--let them offer it. (I can already hear it: "WAAAAAAH!!! I can't give 'truly useful feedback' on software! WAAAAAAH!")

[P.S. Tiny hexer looks very nice, too, from what I can see with a brief glance at the screen shots and feature list. If I were to test it and review it, I'd do so without regard to its freeware status.]

cricri_pingouin reviewed v12.1 SR-2 on Apr 6, 2005

I think that saying that this product is expensive is fair, but giving it 1 star would certainly be unfair too.
I do use other tools such as Tiny Hexer and PSPad which are freeware, and yes they do offer some of WinHEX functionalities for free. However, WinHEX clearly offers much more. I grant that to all the WinHEX fans out there.
On the other hand, yes, price matters. I can't believe some people suggest that price doesn't stand as a review argument. Are you suggesting that discrimination towards low income class should be applied as far as software reviews are concerned?
This is a product, and reviewers are potential customers (well, most of them hopefully). Customers buy this product because it delivers a bundle of benefits, known in marketing as the four P's. The four P's are: product, price, place, promotion.
The product benefit is clearly high, promotion and place is not very relevant in the shareware software business, and that leaves us with the last P which is price. And there, I'm sorry to say, but the product/price benefit ratio is not the most attractive around there.
Now, if you DO have the money to buy it, you won't be sorry. If you have limited financial resources like a lot of us, than it's fair that we think twice before coughing up the cash, and conclude that this product is not the best solution around (again, considering price AND product).
After all, why not say "The Ferrari Enzo is the best car around, EVERYONE should have one and the streets should be filled with them". Well, maybe price has something to do with that. Of course, I can hear people arguing that $55 to $1.1M are apples and oranges, but not everyone even have $55 to spare for an hex editor, even though they do form a share of the market (i.e. they have a need for it), which make them entitled to review this piece of software just the same.
Finally, $55 is for the cheapest version, the personal edition. Specialist edition is $179.

DIRKES reviewed v12.1 SR-2 on Apr 6, 2005

Nice tool - But a meaningful test with the SHAREWAREVERSION is not possible.
You can only edit files with 100kB, this restriction is not acceptable for me.
The price .-. Also for me as an opportunity user too expensively. I use a student version of the program WinHEXER, it costs then only 9 EURO.
The sharewarerestriction of WinHEXER - 30 day trial. This is fair, according to my modest opinion.

Dirk van Hoofen reviewed v12.1 SR-2 on Apr 6, 2005

Oh sorry, but the price is violent.
It concerns "only" a normal HEX-editor; I use TinyHEX, same functions like this here.
TinyHex is freeware, I was so inspired, that I send a donation to the author.
For occasional application really too expensively, for students like me too.

zridling reviewed v12.1 on Apr 2, 2005

After using it for half a day, it's impossible to argue that WinHex is par excellence for hex editors, and given the complexity and depth of its feature set, well worth the money.

horsecharles reviewed v12.1 on Apr 2, 2005

Agree with ghammer & confused-- folks are unfairly thrashing this with 1 ratings because of silly reasons like some contributor unrelated to the author did not dot every I & cross every T when submitting this app... or even worse-- not having enough money: neither of which under the control of the 'poor' author.
I'd humbly suggest the red-light district in both cases-- For the first case, the experience may help inspire empathy/caring towards others; in the second case, the extra income earned would allow purchase of this app...

httpd.confused reviewed v12.05 on Feb 23, 2005

WHAT'S NEW?

* Loading huge contents table (with hundreds of thousands of items) into the directory browser is now considerably faster.

* There are new optional columns in the directory browser for the path and the record/inode modification date and time. Hidden columns (with a width of 0) can be unhidden via the dialog window that opens when you right-click the list header.

* The directory browser now has its own options dialog window. Grouping files and directories is now optional. $EFS streams of NTFS-encrypted files can now be listed in contents tables.

* The general Position Manager content and evidence-related annotations and search hits are no longer displayed in a separate dialog window, but in the same window as the actual data. Single-clicking items in the list of annotations or search hits conveniently jumps to that position in the sectors view.

* Search hits on logical drives/partitions or images of the same are now listed with filename and file path in separate columns, which are fully sortable. Forensic licenses optionally allow to display a preview of the context of the search hits right within the Position Manager.

* Single-clicking items in the directory browser or case tree window is now sufficient for the screen to update.

* File Recovery by Type can now optionally recover files with individual, file type based default file sizes. Like this you could e.g. recover large .mpg and small .jpg files at the same time.

* There is now a virtual file "free space" in the directory browser (root directory) that allows to open, view, and search unallocated cluster in a convenient way. (specialist and forensic licenses only)

* You can now create a contents table using the logical search function. Each file with at least one hit for at least one of the keywords provided will be added to that contents table. This is great way to narrow down huge contents tables to files with relevant content. (since v12.0 SR-4)

* It is now possible to open and search files via the directory browser optionally including their slack space (see directory browser options). (since v12.0 SR-11)

* WinHex can now explore archives in archives (i.e. up to the second level) when using the directory browser, when creating a contents table, and when searching logically. (forensic licenses only, since v12.0 SR-3)

* The creation of contents tables on NTFS drives with a minimum set of options selected is now considerably faster. (since v12.0 SR-?)

* There is now an option that allows to simplify the user interface (reduce the menu structures) if the forensic interface (the case data window) is active. See Options menu.

* The search for formerly existing hard disk partitions (Disk Tools menu: Scan For Lost Partitions) can now optionally be applied to an entire hard disk or image, not only to currently unpartitioned space.

* There is now a "Sync" button that causes the file that a currently displayed cluster is assigned to to be auto-selected in the directory browser. The directory tree switches to that file's directory as well. Available with a forensic license only. (since v12.0 SR-11, improved in v12.05)

* An error was fixed in the SHA-1 and SHA-256 implementation for data in excess of 512 MB. (since v12.0 SR-9)

* An error was fixed in ReiserFS support.

* WinHex can now list NTFS reparse points (a.k.a. junction points) when exploring directories with the directory browser and when creating contents tables. (since v12.0 SR-4)

* The total size of files selected in the directory browser will now be displayed along with the number of selected items.

* Many other minor improvements.

ghammer reviewed v12.0 SR-18 on Feb 19, 2005

If you have a need for a hex editor, this is the tool to get!

And quit rating the cost of an app. What possible difference does that make to the quality of it?

Same for a list of what changed, go to the website of you need that info. Were you looking for a pet feature to be added or something?

Geez! Get a clue of what a rating is for here. It is to tell if the app is good, bad, or middling.

httpd.confused reviewed v12.0 SR-5 on Jan 13, 2005

[Note: Price was not a factor in my rating of this software.]

You guys are both out on Pluto.

For one thing, good software is good software, even if you can't afford it. I think that point has been duly made already.

For another thing, ANYONE can update a software listing on this site, not just the author. And if that person doesn't bother to list what was changed in the update--or just doesn't know what changed in the first place--it won't get listed. But again, what does that have to do with the quality of the software?

Peter van Hooven reviewed v12.0 SR-5 on Jan 13, 2005

Every weeks new releases. But why do not write the author, what is new here ???? - Damm, updates are now necessary? . Please show us for the future valid "HISTORY" lists.

Bachalor reviewed v12.0 SR-5 on Jan 13, 2005

Sorry, but 55$ is really to expensive for a student. Maybe I use it only from time to time, but this price is not realistic for me.

Kyle_Katarn reviewed v12.0 SR-3 on Jan 7, 2005

httpd.confused you're damn right... This software deserves its 5 stars, no matter the price... I use it daily to debug my products... It has no serious equivalent.

linkdup reviewed v12.0 on Jan 2, 2005

EVERYTHING is free these days so I want THIS to be FREEEEE too!! WWHAAAAAAA!! Jeeez, why are so many people so lame these days!

This program is beautiful. Buy it.

httpd.confused reviewed v12.0 on Jan 2, 2005

Gotta love comedians. :)

krakokainer reviewed v12.0 on Jan 1, 2005

why so expensive

httpd.confused reviewed v11.9 SR-6 on Jan 1, 2005

I tried AXE a while back, and indeed I did find it to be poorly designed and buggy. However, I did not takes notes at the time. Hence, I cannot remember specifically enough what the problems were to recount them here. But that doesn't mean I did not encounter the problems. Besides, this review space is not for AXE.

I have *NEVER* rated an application poorly simply because it was free! That makes no sense! I refuse to increase my rating just because a program is free--YES. People who increase (or decrease) their rating based on price do an injustice to us all. It makes no sense.

As we've seen here, what is a "reasonable price" to one person is not to another. And if every freeware gets 4 or 5 stars, mainly because it's freeware, how does a person compare? You will rate WinHex equal to AXE if the price was reduced to $20? But what if a person comes along who doesn't mind spending $55, because they simply need the BEST? Your rating is harmful, not helpful, that's what.

I can't afford to buy a Lamborghini automobile, and I think they're wildly overpriced, but that doesn't mean I would rate them poorly if I were lucky enough to drive one and write a review on it. What if I did? What if I gave the Lamborghini 2 out of 5 stars? Someone who could afford the car would wonder how much of my rating was decided by price, and how much had to do with the car itself. Senselessness.

To put it more succinctly: It makes no sense to rate based on the size of YOUR wallet, when other people look for reviews that are based on product QUALITY, and will take those reviews, look at the price, and decide if it fits in with the size of THEIR wallet.

I admit that in the past, I have (very) occasionally reduced my own rating of certain software, when I thought the price was absolutely astronomical. I am not talking about something like WinHex being $55; I am talking about something like a simple Notepad replacement being priced at $250. However, I won't be doing that anymore, since, as I said, it makes no sense. (Honesty is power.)

The simple truth is that WinHex has no equal. Data recovery, disk cloning, RAM editing... The list goes on and on. Even if the price tag was $1,000,000, it deserves a high rating for being good, powerful software.

Dirk van Hoofen reviewed v11.9 SR-6 on Dec 8, 2004

The first Impression was good. But then, if you work with it, you detect a big "shareware" restriction. 95% of files you cannot safe, because the shareware not allow this function - bulls***. If you use it as a privat user, thre price is to expensive.

bsr500 reviewed v11.9 on Nov 29, 2004

I agree that price does play a role in how a program is rated.. If I review a free game that is not all that great (AA, wolf:ET, etc) I am not going to rate it bad. If a game cost's $50 or more, then it's going to be rated bad if it's not better than the free one.

Same with applications. And yes I understand that the developers need money for their work, but there is a point where if your product is not much better than free alternatives, then you shouldn't be charging ridiculous amounts for it ($50+)

cricri_pingouin reviewed v11.9 on Nov 29, 2004

httpd.confused, I'm happy for you that you are loaded with money, but I'm not. You say that I rate badly because it is expensive, I gave it 3. You rated some freebies 1 based on the fact that they are free alone. I've been using AXE for years (I do not use it anymore). I NEVER EVER had any problems whatsoever with AXE. You qualify it as a bugfest without any tangible material to support this claim. PSPad is great too, it's getting real stable nowadays, although UltraEdit is better for large files IMHO (see, if something is good, even if it's not free, I admit it). I also said that WinHex was great, and really mean it. But what good is a tool if I can't afford it? It's like IDA, it's a great disassembler, but I stick to the old free student version simply because I can't afford it. Understand that we are not all millionaires, my main concern is quality/price ratio. WinHex better? No doubt, but its performance/price ratio is not the best alternative out there. As a customer, I want value. I'm not going to buy an apple £5 because it tastes slightly sweeter than a £0.1 one.
As for the other features WinHex has, I'm aware about it, it still doesn't add enough value to justify me shelling out the money.

krakokainer reviewed v11.9 on Nov 29, 2004

Too expensive for this weekend hobby.

httpd.confused reviewed v11.9 on Nov 28, 2004

What does the fact that you can't afford it have to do with how you should rate it? WinHex can edit files, disks, or memory. It can clone and image drives. It can securely overwrite data. It can calculate hashes. It can recover data. And a lot more. And it's well supported, and very frequently updated. This justifies the price.

If you are happy with the bugfest known as AXE, this shows that your needs aren't even in WinHex's league, so... why bother?

cricri_pingouin reviewed v11.9 Beta on Nov 22, 2004

I agree that this is an excellent hex editor, and not only a file hex editor. However, I also agree that the price tag is simply prohibitive for personal use :(
So great, but too expensive. I'll stick to freeware solutions (AXE, PSPad) for my files hex editing. As for RAM or other advanced features, I'll surely consider this one if needed, and if I'm willing to spare the cash.

Bachalor reviewed v11.9 Beta on Nov 18, 2004

Yes a good HEX-editor. But for students or pupils art to expensive. Cannot the author distribute a version with a reduced price?.
The next prob is, that you cannot use the sharewareversion with big files. It is restricted for 500kB files. Why cannot distribute the author the software with 14-day(s) trial - but with all functions without reservations/restrictions.

eviljolly reviewed v11.9 Beta on Nov 17, 2004

Best hex editor I've ever used. I just wish it could unpack common types of packed executables...

Jeffsoft reviewed v11.7 on Sep 4, 2004

Absolute Excellent!

httpd.confused reviewed v11.6 on Jun 21, 2004

Awesome, powerful software. The author is very responsive to problems, and tries to fix any legitimate problem that is reported (and I've reported a few). And when he can't figure it out, he doesn't just blow it off and ignore you; he will email you and say "I give up for now", which I think is cool. =)

huh reviewed v11.25 SR-9 on Feb 25, 2004

Winhex..I love it !
At the moment more sofisti than hexworkshop.
Excellent usefull prog.Must say i don't use all the options.

USE THE RAM EDITOR FOR DEBUGGING PERPOSES...Hehe... .

(you should use your skills scodan....)

scodan reviewed v11.25 SR-7 on Feb 7, 2004

Aw... The WinHex trial didn't let you do everything you want, so you can get what you need done, and then uninstall it? You didn't rate the software; you rated the trial policy (twice). Anyhoo, I do wish it was easier to find out what each of these maintenance releases consisted of. Somtimes, they contain critical fixes. However, the author doesn't make the update information available (either on the web site, or via newsletter).

Bachalor reviewed v11.25 SR-6 on Feb 6, 2004

I have tested it. But you can not test it with "normal" files (large files).
Wha not a shareware restrictions with time (20 day evaluation) ?? - This kind of restriction was and is s***, I can not support this idea !!

Dirk van Hoofen reviewed v11.25 SR-6 on Feb 6, 2004

I'm a student. "WinHEX" works good, but the shareware restrictions is too hard for work with it - really meaningful arnbeiten is not possible thereby.
I use fairware (Winhexedit) from www.nextsoft.de - only 5 EURO and the shareware is really fine.

Jeffsoft reviewed v11.25 on Jan 17, 2004

Always Great!

scodan reviewed v11.2 on Dec 16, 2003

Well, "huh" is a good choice in nicknames, since he made no sense whatsoever. I DID review WinHex. And I just upgraded to 11.2. It keeps getting better all the time. Very nice to be able to view the contents of the page file (for example) with Windows running, and to recover data interactively.

zik reviewed v11.15 on Nov 10, 2003

very useful and... small!

huh reviewed v11.15 on Nov 10, 2003

Sjit scodan,
Looks you aren't an idiot.......?!
Stop talking rubisch(bla bla like those idiots)just review
the prog.(i could say ï reversed the prog since the early days)but i don't...(oeps)
Yep winhex does an excellent job,worth the buy.....

huh

scodan reviewed v11.1 on Oct 25, 2003

As always, I found some bugs (because, unlike the idiots, I actually know how to test software). I let the author know, and he fixed them promptly, and gave me a nice kickback in addition. This is a powerful and well-supported utility. I've tried all the rest, including those that are freeware, and they all pale in comparison (no matter how desperately their "comparison charts" try to twist it otherwise).

marty reviewed v11.0 Beta on Aug 11, 2003

Functionality added upon registration:

he full version will save files larger than 200 KB, write disk sectors, edit virtual memory and show no evaluation version reminders. It will reveal its license status on start-up and in the About box.

eviljolly reviewed v10.9 Beta on Jun 6, 2003

I actually tried to think of other features it needs, but I couldn't! Awesome program, the ram editor is amazing!

vis666 reviewed v10.9 Beta on Jun 3, 2003

hey... can't get any better than this =)

jkirby reviewed v10.7 Beta on Jan 27, 2003

You da man!

bingo2 reviewed v10.55 on Oct 22, 2002

Functionality is amazing. How much functionality do you lose if you don't register after the trial period? Any recommendations for a quality freeware hex editor?

SNYder reviewed v10.55 on Oct 20, 2002

all that and a bag of ruffled patato chips

SNYder reviewed v10.52 Beta on Aug 22, 2002

word

blacksnake2001 reviewed v10.42 Beta on Mar 20, 2002

Glad I found this
GREAT LITTLE PROGRAM
Thank You

ksramer reviewed v10.4 Beta on Feb 27, 2002

This is a great hex editor. Has saved my butt more than once!

XionZ reviewed v9.95 Beta on Sep 7, 2001

best hex editor you can get

viggo reviewed v9.95 Beta on Sep 7, 2001

At last!
A way to switch my dualhead on and off!!

docco reviewed v9.95 Beta on Sep 7, 2001

What, like a batch file?!
I'm just being mean ;-)

chris2000 reviewed v9.95 Beta on Sep 6, 2001

Didn't even know of this GREAT utility before! Very worth looking at. Will probably make it my hex/disk editor of choice.