HASHME v1.2

Owner and publisher: KANE-O, trading as KANE-O-TECH
Platform: Windows 11 or later, x64
Status: Public source-available release
Official website: hashme256.com

HASHME is a slim floating SHA-256 utility for Windows. Drop one file or a group of files onto the strip and HASHME calculates complete SHA-256 fingerprints locally without rewriting the source files.

What HASHME does

• Calculates SHA-256 locally with no account, registration, advertising, or network upload.
• Accepts drops across the complete floating strip.
• Handles multiple files on one display line and copies every complete filename and 64-character SHA-256 value.
• Identifies NEW, EXISTING, CHANGED, and MISMATCH states.
• Supports explicit stored-record replacement after an authorised change.
• Supports Pair Match for comparing exactly two files.
• Resolves supported Windows .lnk and file-based .url shortcuts.
• Preserves always-on-top, position lock, theme, placement, and startup settings.

Status meanings

Status	Exact meaning
NEW	This exact content has not previously been recorded by this HASHME installation and no recognised SHA-256 sidecar record was found.
EXISTING	The recalculated hash matches HASHME's prior record, known identical content, or a recognised sidecar/manifest record.
CHANGED	This path was recorded before, but its current bytes produce a different SHA-256. The stored record is preserved until explicit replacement is approved.
MISMATCH	The current content does not match a recognised .sha256 or SHA256SUMS record.
MATCH	Two files supplied in Pair Match mode have identical SHA-256 values.
DIFFERENT	Two files supplied in Pair Match mode have different SHA-256 values.

SHA-256 is a deterministic fingerprint calculated from file content. It is not encryption, a secret key, or proof of authorship. HASHME never embeds a hash into a dropped file. Its local catalogue is stored under %LOCALAPPDATA%\KANE-O\HASHME.

Everyday use

1. Open HASHME.
2. Drag one or more files onto the floating strip.
3. Wait for the result.
4. Select Copy to copy complete filenames and SHA-256 values.
5. Select Clear to reset the visible strip without erasing stored history.

If CHANGED appears and the change is authorised, right-click and choose Replace stored record with current hash…. HASHME rechecks the file, asks for confirmation, and updates only its local catalogue.

Official Windows download

Use the official website for the separately packaged Windows installer:

• Website: https://hashme256.com/
• Protected download: https://bit.ly/4yGYYg2
• Download passcode: sha256
• Installer filename: HASHME_v1.2_Setup_Windows_x64.exe
• SHA-256: 9d90fbc68d3f02e011eca9cf84885f6d62d1763b3719eb0b2aa299f20d804156
• Signer: CN=KANE-O, O=KANE-O, C=AU
• Certificate thumbprint: 5B2E3674F686ECA6E02A6C917A9A2993562F325D

The installer carries a KANE-O Authenticode signature and a DigiCert timestamp, but the signing root is privately issued rather than publicly trusted. Windows SmartScreen may therefore still show a reputation warning. Verify the complete SHA-256 and certificate thumbprint before running the installer.

GitHub release binaries are intentionally kept separate from this source repository for the current release.

Build from source

Prerequisites:

• Windows 11 x64
• .NET 10 SDK from the 10.0.4xx feature band
• WiX Toolset 5 or later when building the MSI

Run:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\build-windows.ps1

The build restores and compiles the projects, runs the 15-test regression suite, publishes the self-contained Windows executable, and creates checksummed release artifacts under artifacts/. Signing keys and certificates are deliberately excluded from the repository.

Documentation

• Operator's Manual (PDF)
• Operator's Manual (editable DOCX)
• Technical Specification (PDF)
• Windows device acceptance test
• Build verification record
• Ownership and release record

Privacy and security

• No network access is requested or used by HASHME.
• No administrator rights are required by the normal per-user installation.
• Files are opened read-only and hashed locally.
• No file content is written to HASHME's catalogue.
• The catalogue contains SHA-256 values, file paths, and first/last-seen times.
• Vulnerabilities should be reported privately as described in SECURITY.md.

Copyright and licensing

Copyright © 2026 KANE-O, trading as KANE-O-TECH. All rights reserved except as expressly permitted by the applicable licence.

HASHME software source is available for permitted noncommercial purposes under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0. This is a source-available licence, not an OSI-approved open-source licence.

The HASHME name, mascot, logos, icons, interface artwork, cover artwork, promotional graphics, and other brand assets are separately governed by BRAND_ASSETS_LICENSE.md. Required notices are in NOTICE.md. Third-party terms remain under licenses/.

Support, security, licensing, and permission enquiries: hashme256@proton.me