Windows/DOS executable file magic bytes (.drv)
.drv file signature: 4D 5A | application/octet-stream
Category: Executables
The Windows/DOS executable file format is a legacy executable container originally developed for MS-DOS by Microsoft, with the DOS MZ convention associated with Mark Zbikowski. It is used to store programs and related binaries for DOS and early Windows systems, including applications, utilities, and self-extracting packages. Because it is a historical format, files should be handled cautiously, as executable content may contain malicious code when obtained from untrusted sources.
Magic Bytes
Offset 0
4D 5A
Sources: Gary Kessler
Validation Code
How to validate .drv files in Python
def is_drv(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid DRV by magic bytes."""
signature = bytes([0x4D, 0x5A])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
return f.read(2) == signatureHow to validate .drv files in Node.js
function isDRV(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0x4D, 0x5A]);
return buffer.subarray(0, 2).equals(signature);
}How to validate .drv files in Go
func IsDRV(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0x4D, 0x5A}
if len(data) < 2 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[:2], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/drv
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/drv
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Related Formats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .drv file?
A .drv file is a Windows/DOS executable file. The Windows/DOS executable file format is a legacy executable container originally developed for MS-DOS by Microsoft, with the DOS MZ convention associated with Mark Zbikowski. It is used to store programs and related binaries for DOS and early Windows systems, including applications, utilities, and self-extracting packages. Because it is a historical format, files should be handled cautiously, as executable content may contain malicious code when obtained from untrusted sources.
What are the magic bytes for .drv files?
The magic bytes for Windows/DOS executable file (.drv) files are 4D 5A at byte offset 0. These bytes identify the file format more reliably than the extension alone.
How do I validate a .drv file?
To validate a .drv file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (4D 5A) at offset 0. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .drv files?
There is no officially registered MIME type for .drv files. Systems typically use application/octet-stream as a generic fallback when handling this format.
Is it safe to open .drv files?
Windows/DOS executable file (.drv) files are generally safe to open. They are classified as low risk because they primarily contain data rather than executable code. However, always ensure files come from a trusted source.