I am using C++ Builder (Embarcadero) to create applications. I am creating normal, exes. I found out that if I open up one of the exes that I created in notepad, It says "RAD Studio" ALL OVER inside the file. I don't want my costumers to know what I used to develop my software, It seems very "unprofessional" to me. How can I remove this text?
BTW, please go STEP BY STEP and explain in GREAT DETAIL. I am not very familiar with the settings on C++ Builder 2010. Thanks!
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It is not anything like module names, It is more like Embarcadero is branding all executible files made with thair software. It is VERY noticible inside the file. If you want, I can post the text so you can see what I'm dealing with.
Is there some kind of setting that can be changed for the complier of C++ Builder to remove all of this?
Thanks
I don't know for sure, but I'd bet that they don't provide a simple switch to turn off the "branding" Much of it might be in "Comment" records added to OBJ and LIB files. I know that I was careful to insert copyright info into an EXE that way, and (long story short) got a nice settlement on a copyright infringement lawsuit, in part because you can see it with any hex editor.
It's unlikely that any of your customers will use a hex editor to read your EXE. However, if this is important to you, you can probably overwrite the offending text by using a short program that searches for the unwanted text and replaces it with space characters. You can't do that for everything, because, for instance, exported function names may contain the offending text.
I really think that it would me much more somple than that. There are A BUNCH of different settings for compiling your software in C++ Builder. I'm sure there is not an option, like you said, that simply "disables branding". :) I think that there is some setting to change. I will attach the text that you see when you open my program up in notepad. I am talking about the text like "name="CodeGear RAD Studio"" and " Embarcadero RAD Studio - Copyright 2009 Embarcadero Technologies, Inc." Normally a compiled exe does not contain NEAR as much plain text inside the exe like this. I bought C++ Builder for a LOT of money and it makes me mad that this information is inside my software with no know option to remove it (yet).
Thanks
>>>> I am talking about the text like "name="CodeGear RAD Studio"" and " Embarcadero RAD Studio
That is a .manifest assembly (kind of a config.ini). You might check your project settings whether there is either an option to not *creating* a .manifest or to not *embedding* a .manifest assemby. Or you use an older version of C++ Builder which don't know of .manifests. Those manifests came with .NET what was in 2002 if I remember rightly.
I don't think (though don't know for sure) that the assemby identity could be blanked without spoiling the executable.
>>>> Any specific thing I should look for?
manifest? ;-)
I don't know C++ Builder but probably you can open the project file with a text editor. Check for the words 'manifest' or 'assembly' then or for "CodeGear RAD Studio". If found, the keywords used in the same context may give you a clue what settings have to be changed.
The xml text is put in if you have chosen to use themes. Look on the options -> Application tab for the check box 'Enable runtime themes'. It defaults to on for new projects.
You can also use a resource editor to edit the information. Here's a decent free editor if you need one,
http://www.wilsonc.demon.c
I do not believe any other 'brand' text can be removed with a setting but would have to be 'edited' as George suggested.
You could compress the exe which will probably not leave any readable text in the file. Here's a free compressor, UPX
http://upx.sourceforge.net
This put the exe into a compressed format which is then uncompressed as it loads into memory.
And just one addition on UPX...
The final executable will be a bit slower to load...
The original executable in any way will be mapped in proccess memory as it was and can be examined from there...
That is and the main disadvantage when using dongles (Alladin - Sentinel etc) and protect using "envelope" protection...
George Tokas.
Business Accounts
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by: itsmeandnobodyelsePosted on 2009-10-29 at 11:42:17ID: 25696802
>>>> I am creating normal, exes.
Hmmm. Some information in a .exe file is normal text such as modul names or library names. So, the only way to not reveal that is to zip the .exe with a password and have a scheduler (a seperate program) that unzips the .exe to a temporary exe file (or to a dll) before actually invoking it. But even then the unzipped (temporary) executable or the executable in memory could be spied out by your customers. Don't think it is worth the effort.