Windows resource editors
I recently borrowed a copy of Hacking Windows XP from a friend. (I was under the impression that it would be about, well, hacking). It’s really all about customizations that you can do to your system, through changes to the system files and registry. One useful thing it did have was a link to a very good resource editor called Resource Hacker. It’s been years since I’ve used a Windows resource editor, and I’m starting to remember how fun (and utterly time consuming) it can be to mess around with the look and feel of your Windows apps and OS. In short, Resource Hacker lets you open up an executable or library file (exe, dll, ocx, scr, or cpl), and see that various resources within it – things like text string and icons – and lets you change them. Say you don’t like an error message, just find that text string and change it. Don’t like the way an app looks? Just change the icons. Don’t like the fact that the start button says start? Change it. (It’s just a text string after all). I know someone will point out that a hex editor can do many of the same things, however a resource editor organizes the data for you making it easier to find that string you want to change (or just browse), and it should (in theory at least) keep you away from the executable code which could break the app. It also let’s you see and edit graphics. If you ever want to find a fun way to kill a lazy Sunday afternoon, I highly recommend it.
Tags: Microsoft, resource editor, Resource Hacker, windows