Crinkler vs Windows PE Packer

Crinkler is a compressing linker for producing very small 32-bit Windows executables, particularly demoscene intros in 1k, 4k, and 8k sizes. It combines linking and compression; the resulting executable decompresses into memory when run. By default, context modelling compresses code, optional text data, and general data as separate parts. Crinkler can replace the Visual Studio linker and supports its basic options, with configuration through project settings. Its data compressor is also available as a separate library for estimating compressed data size. Crinkler is free and distributed under the zlib license, which permits commercial use subject to its conditions. Version 3.0 requires Windows 10 or later and SSE4.2, including for the executables it produces, although those executables can target older Windows versions. Uncompressed input is limited to 64k per part. The manual warns that tiny-header mode can make decompression prohibitively slow for files significantly larger than 1 KB. The project directs users to GitHub Releases for downloads and links a manual for usage and version history.

Windows PE Packer is a free, MIT-licensed command-line project that packs Windows PE files to obstruct some forms of reverse engineering. It changes the import table, encrypts sections, clears section names, and adds a shell-entry. When a packed program runs, that entry decrypts the sections, initializes the original import table, and performs relocation. The project says this can make disassembly, constant-string searches, and import-table analysis more difficult. Its command takes an input filename and an output filename: PE-Packer . It currently handles only 32-bit.exe programs and must be configured for 32-bit Windows. Building it requires MASM32, MinGW-w64 with i686 architecture, and CMake. Written in C and Intel x86 Assembly, it is described by its maker as a beginner demonstration for learning about the Windows PE format and assembly; compatibility problems and bugs make it unsuitable for practical use. The repository lists no releases. The MIT license permits copying, modification, distribution, and other uses subject to its conditions, and provides the software without warranty. The plan is free.