SFV files: verify and create

What is an SFV?

An SFV is a text file listing filenames and their CRC32 checksums. It detects accidental changes or corruption; it does not prove who made the files or whether they are safe. You can open it in Notepad to read the list.

Verify a download

1. Install a checker such as QuickSFV or RapidCRC Unicode. Keep the SFV with the files it describes, preserving filenames and subfolders.
2. Open the SFV in the checker and run verification. OK means the checksum matches; missing means a file isn't found; a mismatch means the contents differ.
3. Redownload only damaged or missing files, or force a torrent recheck, then verify again. Don't edit the expected checksum just to make a failed file pass.

• QuickSFV
• RapidCRC Unicode

Create an SFV

1. In your checksum tool, select the final files you want to distribute, choose CRC32/SFV output and save the .sfv beside them. Leave the SFV itself out of the file selection.
2. Use relative paths, then reopen the generated SFV to verify it. If you change or rename files afterwards, regenerate it before sharing.