Reading Hard Disk at Byte Level

Question

Situation: I am writing a python program to read through a hard disk (specifically Windows) and compare hex strings with each other.

Problem: Is it possible to do so? The solution I am looking for needs to be fast, therefore dd is unsuitable.

I understand that on Linux systems we can do an open('/dev/sdX', 'r') . I found another question that suggests that I use open('\\\\.\\PhysicalDriveX', 'r') or open('\\\\.\\C:', 'r') on "Win32-based applications".

Question: Does the above command work on normal Windows machines (64-bit) as well?

Additional information: I am using ePython, a variation of Python, with additional functionalities.

Answer 1

An alternate approach would be to stick with the Linux method using the built in Linux subsystem on Windows with:

Windows 10:

Bash-on-Ubuntu-on-Windows: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/commandline/wsl/about

Winows 7:

Utilities and SDK for Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications in Microsoft Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=2391

I've used the Windows 10 - Home Edition, Bash-on-Ubuntu-on-Windows at it works like a charm.