I'm trying to find a good application that can generate a directory list of files and folders and provide a CSV dump with their SHA256 hashes. I know I can do this using PowerShell, but it tends to run slowly. It would be great to have something that does this recursively. Also, I can't run scripts directly on the NAS where the files are stored, unless I can run Linux commands on it. Any recommendations? Cheers!
3 Answers
When working with larger files, hashing them in binary format is key for accuracy, but it can slow things down due to I/O and CPU limitations. Just keep in mind that any application will likely have some bottlenecks here due to the nature of the task.
If you’re set on using PowerShell, consider diving into the 'jobs' feature. It allows you to queue multiple commands, potentially hashing several files simultaneously rather than one at a time. This could speed things up a bit for you!
For better performance, try running your script directly on the file server instead of over the network. This could significantly speed up the process. Also, just as a reminder, I know you mentioned the files are on a NAS.
I’m not sure if this would actually speed things up, though. I/O tasks aren’t the best for parallel processing, and adding jobs might just lead to slower hashes overall.