PELock vs Windows PE Packer

PELock protects compiled 32-bit Windows applications against cracking, tampering, and reverse engineering, while providing software licensing tools. It protects Portable Executable formats including EXE, SCR, DLL, OCX, CPL, BPL, DPL, ACM, and AX. Anti-debugging methods detect cracking tools and block their actions. The license key manager handles users and keys, generates and verifies RSA-2048 keys, and can block illegally shared keys. Trials can be limited by days, executions, an expiration date, or minutes of use. A virtual DLL binder combines an application and libraries into one EXE, loading those libraries in memory without writing them to disk. SDK examples cover C/C++, Delphi, Lazarus, FreePascal, PureBasic, PowerBASIC, D, and Assembler. Plugins can add compression, detection, licensing checks, and loader functions. The maker lists Windows support from Windows 95 through Windows 10 and Server 2003 through 2012, with 32- and 64-bit support. Pricing starts at 59 one-time; listed licenses cost 159.00 USD or $299, paid once.

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.