Multi-network IRC chat client with auto-connect, join and identify

HexChat

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Download HexChat 2.16.2 (64-bit)

HexChat

  -  10.4 MB  -  Open Source
  • Latest Version

    HexChat 2.16.2 (64-bit) LATEST

  • Review by

    Juan Garcia

  • Operating System

    Windows 7 64 / Windows 8 64 / Windows 10 64

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    HexChat Team / External Link

  • Filename

    HexChat.2.16.2.x64.exe

HexChat lets you communicate by utilizing an Internet Relay Chat protocol. Have private conversations with acquaintances, friends, and family members through a chat connection through multiple servers.

When you first start HexChat, the connection needs to be set up by selecting the appropriate networks. You must also make a nickname for yourself too. Have 2 extra nickname options on standby in case your first choice is not available.

HexChat based on XChat gives you convenient features, such as an automated connection to chat rooms that are defined by users. This saves you time because you won’t need to search for a long list of rooms to find the one you want. Another thing you can do is choose a network and display the window which has a list of channels. There are search options available in this window to help you find rooms that way too.

If you’ve ever used an IRC client, then the conversation window should seem familiar. The list of active users in the chat room will be seen there. It will show their status in the rooms, such as an administrator or standard member. Channel operators can grant admin privileges to any person in the room. They can also kick out users and ban users too.

If you’ve written commands in an IRC application before, then you’ll be pleased to know that you can do the same in Hex Chat. These commands can help you do things like changing your status, discover a channel’s total number of users, change a nickname, etc.

When you publicly chat in a room, everyone there can see your messages. But if you want to chat privately with certain users, you can do that too. The conversation window contains options for initiating who-is commands, ping commands, file transfers to an interlocutor, and DCC chat requests.

Another function of the program is the automatic text replace feature. If you make mistakes while typing, this feature will help correct them. It also has configurable options for URL handling, capabilities for URL grabbing, ignore lists, friends lists, keyboard shortcut customization, and so much more. Furthermore, you can bring its functionality to scripts and plugs as well.

Overall, you can use HexChat to communicate with anyone throughout the world. It has an array of features and a GUI that most people are already familiar with. Best of all, it is an open-source program which already puts it ahead of most IRC clients out there.

Also Available: Download HexChat for Mac

  • HexChat 2.16.2 (64-bit) Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

What's new in this version:

Changed:
- change /server to use TLS by default, use -insecure or the - prefix on the port to disable
- change preferences dialog to be modal

Added:
- add support for the extended-monitor capability
- add support for SCRAM SASL mechanisms
- add option to hide nick from window title
- increase max server password length to 1024

Fixed:
- fix some detecting some URLs causing a crash
- fix long SASL auth strings not being split
- fix PROTOCOL_NAMESX support and only use it when not using multi-prefix
- fix dialog topic not being updated with CHGHOST
- fix notify.conf being reversed when saved
- lua: fix crash when using pluginprefs
- python: fix API break in hook_timer()
- python: fix timers that unhook themselves
- checksum: Various improvements including not blocking the UI
- win32: Add installer options to control start menu, desktop, and quick launch shortcuts
- win32: Update python3 to 3.8
- win32: Remove python2

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