binary comparison

Binary comparison is a method used to verify file integrity by comparing two files byte by byte. In Windows, the fc /b command performs a binary comparison, revealing differences between files even if they have the same size and dates. This technique is useful for identifying corruption in large files, such as those over 2 GB, where a backup copy may have been affected by a faulty copy operation or defective media. Users often seek ways to determine which file is the valid one, exploring options like CRC32 hashes, Alternate Data Streams, or NTFS cluster checks. However, binary comparison itself does not indicate which file is correct; it only highlights discrepancies.