Windows
Linux
PowerShell Equivalents
File System
Windows PowerShell Get-FileHash equivalent in Linux
Calculates a cryptographic checksum used to verify downloads and detect file changes.
Windows
→
PowerShell Get-FileHash
Linux equivalents
sha256sum filename.iso
sha256sum filename.iso
sha256sum filename.iso
Overview
What this command does
Calculates a cryptographic checksum used to verify downloads and detect file changes.
Migration tip: SHA-256 is a strong default for download verification. Compare the printed checksum exactly with the value published by the distributor.
Practical tasks
Common use cases
Calculate a file checksum
Calculates a cryptographic checksum used to verify downloads and detect file changes.
sha256sum filename.iso
Calculate SHA-256
sha512sum filename.iso
Calculate SHA-512
sha256sum -c checksums.txt
Verify checksums from a file
Ready to run
Copyable Linux commands
Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.
sha256sum filename.iso
sha512sum filename.iso
sha256sum -c checksums.txt
Walkthrough
Examples with explanations
sha256sum filename.iso # calculate a SHA-256 checksum
sha512sum filename.iso # calculate a SHA-512 checksum
sha256sum -c checksums.txt # verify a checksum listReference
Common options and variations
| Command or option | Use |
|---|---|
sha256sum filename.iso | Calculate SHA-256 |
sha512sum filename.iso | Calculate SHA-512 |
sha256sum -c checksums.txt | Verify checksums from a file |
Distro differences
Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch
This command is the same on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch Linux when the relevant tool is installed.
| Distribution | Package manager / base | Equivalent command | Difference to notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian/Ubuntu | same command | sha256sum filename.iso |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Fedora | same command | sha256sum filename.iso |
Same command on this distribution. |
| Arch | same command | sha256sum filename.iso |
Same command on this distribution. |
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