Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Resource Hacker VS PE Explorer

Compare Resource Hacker VS PE Explorer and see what are their differences

Resource Hacker logo Resource Hacker

Resource Hacker has been designed to be the complete resource editing tool.

PE Explorer logo PE Explorer

EXE Editor, Resource Editor, Disassembler, Section Editor, Dependency Scanner, Quick Function Syntax Lookup. Analyze win32 executable files, including headers, procedures, and libraries. Edit icon resources and more.
  • Resource Hacker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-08
  • PE Explorer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-02

PE Explorer is a feature-rich and budget priced set of tools for those whose daily work involves reverse engineering of software and exploiting code, source code reviews, testing and evaluation of vulnerabilities with a very strong emphasis on peeking inside EXE applications and DLL packages.

PE Explorer leaves you with only minimal work to do in order to get an analysis of a piece of software. Once you have selected the file you wish to examine, PE Explorer will analyze the file and display a summary of the PE header information, and all of the resources contained in the PE file. From here, the tool allows you to explore the specific elements within an executable file. Target file structure can be analyzed and optimized, problems diagnosed, changes made, resources repaired, assembly source code reconstructed.

With PE Explorer, software engineers and security specialists can apply a professional approach to research of binary files. PE Explorer utilizes a qualitative algorithm designed to reconstruct the assembly language source code of target binary files (EXE, DLL, OCX) with the highest degree of accuracy possible. The product also allows you to remove both debugging information and the base relocation table from an executable, as well as view and edit the various section headers. PE Explorer includes a host of unique features, including the ability to open problem executable files and edit the hidden data that the other editors simply cannot see, an unparalleled range of supported resource types, automatic UPX unpacking, adding of modern Windows control styles to older applications, support for custom plug-ins, and more.

Resource Hacker

Website
angusj.com
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

Resource Hacker features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Resource Hacker features an intuitive and straightforward interface, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced users to navigate and use the tool efficiently for modifying resources in executable files.
  • Comprehensive Resource Editing
    The tool allows users to view, modify, add, and delete resources within Windows executables, making it versatile for a variety of resource management tasks.
  • Support for Multiple File Types
    Resource Hacker supports a wide range of file types, including .EXE, .DLL, .CPL, .OCX, and more, providing flexibility in resource editing across different Windows components.
  • Script Capabilities
    It can automate tasks through scripts, allowing for efficient batch processing and modifications, which is advantageous for repetitive tasks.
  • Free to Use
    Resource Hacker is available for free, offering extensive features without any cost, making it an attractive option for users looking for budget-friendly software.

Possible disadvantages of Resource Hacker

  • Windows-Only
    Resource Hacker is limited to Windows platforms, which restricts its usage for developers or users operating on macOS or Linux systems without additional support like emulators.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Complex Tasks
    While the interface is user-friendly, more complex editing tasks may require a deeper understanding of Windows resources and file structures, posing a learning challenge for newcomers.
  • Potential for Unstable Modifications
    Improper use of Resource Hacker can lead to unstable applications or system behavior, as modifying executable resources can affect how programs run.
  • Legal and Ethical Limitations
    Modifying executable files may breach software licenses or terms of use, leading to legal and ethical concerns. Users must ensure compliance with software agreements.

PE Explorer features and specs

  • Resource Editor
    Allows users to view and edit resources such as strings, bitmaps, and dialogs in executable files without needing the source code.
  • Disassembler
    Includes a disassembler feature that provides insights into the code structure, useful for reverse engineering and debugging.
  • Dependency Scanner
    Can analyze and list all the modules and libraries required by the executable, aiding in troubleshooting and ensuring all dependencies are met.
  • UPX Unpacker
    Supports unpacking files compressed with UPX, allowing for easier analysis of compressed executables.
  • User-friendly Interface
    Features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate graphical user interface, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.

Resource Hacker videos

How To Make a .DLL Containing Icons Using Resource Hacker (BEST METHOD)

More videos:

  • Review - Extract Icons with Resource Hacker

PE Explorer videos

Raycity เปลี่ยนลายของSkinของตัวPatcherด้วย PE Explorer

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Resource Hacker and PE Explorer)
IDE
58 58%
42% 42
Software Development
58 58%
42% 42
Developer Tools
70 70%
30% 30
Decompiler
44 44%
56% 56

Questions and Answers

As answered by people managing Resource Hacker and PE Explorer.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

PE Explorer's answer:

  • Microsoft
  • Apple
  • Adobe
  • Symantec

How would you describe your primary audience?

PE Explorer's answer:

  • Security professionals
  • Reverse engineers
  • Developers
  • Antivirus and forensic specialists

What makes your product unique?

PE Explorer's answer:

PE Explorer includes a host of unique features, including the ability to open problem executable files and edit the hidden data that the other editors simply cannot see.

User comments

Share your experience with using Resource Hacker and PE Explorer. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Resource Hacker seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Resource Hacker mentions (5)

  • Windows Tips, Tricks, and Tweaks
    "Resource Hacker"[1] should be enough to edit some strings, you just need to find the right file. [1] http://angusj.com/resourcehacker/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Where can one find the default Foobar2000 playback icons?
    Btw there are a couple of small programs to extract icons from exe/dll -s I tried with (ResourceHacker)[http://angusj.com/resourcehacker/] and (BeCyIconGrabber)[https://jarlpenguin.github.io/BeCyIconGrabberPortable/] but neither could find other icons than the main icon AH I had the idea to maybe check the component dll-s and actually foo_ui_std.dll has the icons. Source: about 2 years ago
  • I made custom tiles in Windows 10 for my Steam games. So aesthetic
    I do too but I’ve been using resource hacker for over a year or two now to quickly get the icon. Very rarely have I had to look elsewhere. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How do you sell AHK scripts?
    Right click into any script, then the resulting executable open it with Resource Hacker and you'll see what I'm talking about: the script is just as a resource of the .exe. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Is it possible to change a program icon _everywhere_ it appears?
    You'll also need a program called Resource Hacker. Find it here: http://angusj.com/resourcehacker/. Source: almost 4 years ago

PE Explorer mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PE Explorer yet. Tracking of PE Explorer recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Resource Hacker and PE Explorer, you can also consider the following products

Universal Extractor 2 - Universal Extractor 2 is an unofficial updated and extended version of the original UniExtract by...

Resource Tuner - Resource Editor: modify EXE file's resources, change Icons inside EXE, DLL, MUN. View, search, extract, replace, edit, add and delete the embedded resources of executable program files.

IDA - The best-of-breed binary code analysis tool, an indispensable item in the toolbox of world-class software analysts, reverse engineers, malware analyst and cybersecurity professionals.

Resource Hacker FX - Resource Hacker FX is an improved ...

HxD - HxD is a carefully designed and fast hex editor which, additionally to raw disk editing and...

Restorator - Restorator is an award-winning utility to edit windows resources in applications and their...