NX-Seed-Finder-and-Extractor
A Windows utility for detecting MArchive seeds from main_uncompressed files and extracting alldata.psb.m / alldata.bin using MArchiveBatchTool.exe.
NX Seed Finder and Extractor is designed for supported NS titles that use MArchive-based data.
It can automatically analyze main_uncompressed, detect the seed when possible, and assist with archive extraction through a simple graphical interface.
Features
- Automatically detects MArchive seeds from main_uncompressed
- Displays the detected seed in a selectable and copyable field
- Supports titles that do not originally use a seed
- Automatically switches to No Seed extraction mode when appropriate
- Extracts alldata.psb.m and alldata.bin using MArchiveBatchTool.exe
- Lets you choose a custom extraction destination
- Shows extraction progress with a clear green progress meter
- Displays MArchiveBatchTool.exe output in real time
- Supports drag and drop for files and folders
- Works even when files are stored in different folders or drives
- Automatically opens the extracted folder after completion
- Automatically selects the UI language based on the Windows system language
- Allows manual language switching
- High-DPI-aware Windows interface
- Available in both 32-bit and 64-bit builds
- Uses an embedded application icon
- Does not require MArchiveBatchTool.exe when you only want to detect the seed
Downloads
https://github.com/yyoossk/NX-Seed-Finder-and-Extractor/releasesRecommended files:
- NX Seed Finder and Extractor.exe — 32-bit version
- NX Seed Finder and Extractor x64.exe — 64-bit version
Which Version Should I Use?
For most modern Windows PCs, use the 64-bit version.The 32-bit version is also available and can run on most 64-bit Windows systems through WOW64.
Requirements
For Seed Detection
Only the following file is required:main_uncompressed
main_uncompressed is obtained by decrypting and extracting the Nintendo Switch main file using a tool such as hactool.
For Archive Extraction
The following are required:main_uncompressed
alldata.bin
alldata.psb.m
MArchiveBatchTool.exe
You must also select an extraction destination folder.
Finding the Seed
- Start NX Seed Finder and Extractor.
- Select or drag and drop main_uncompressed.
- Click Find Seed.
- Wait for the analysis to finish.
- The detected seed will appear in the result field.
- Copy the seed if needed.
When "No Seed" Is Displayed
The application may return:No Seed
This can mean one of two things:
- The title originally does not use a seed.
- The title uses a seed that cannot currently be detected by this application.
If the title genuinely does not use a seed, archive extraction may still work.
When No Seed is detected, the application automatically uses the dedicated No Seed extraction mode.
Archive Extraction
To extract the archive:- Select main_uncompressed.
- Click Find Seed.
- Select the folder containing MArchiveBatchTool.exe.
- Select alldata.bin.
- Select alldata.psb.m.
- Select the extraction destination.
- Click Extract.
- Monitor the progress meter and real-time log.
- When extraction finishes, the extracted folder opens automatically.
Normal Seed Extraction
When a normal seed is detected, the application performs an operation equivalent to:MArchiveBatchTool.exe fullunpack --keep alldata.psb.m zlib <SEED> 64
Example:
MArchiveBatchTool.exe fullunpack --keep alldata.psb.m zlib 25G/xpvTbsb+6 64
The application passes the seed directly to MArchiveBatchTool.exe.
You do not need to enter the command manually.
No Seed Extraction
When the result is No Seed, the application automatically uses:MArchiveBatchTool.exe fullunpack --keep alldata.psb.m zlib "Illegal function call" 92
This mode is intended for titles that originally do not use a normal seed.
You do not need to enter this command manually.
Extraction Destination
You can choose any destination folder.After successful extraction, the following directory is created inside the selected destination:
alldata.psb.m_extracted
The folder is automatically opened in Windows File Explorer when extraction completes.
Drag and Drop
NX Seed Finder and Extractor supports drag and drop.You can drag the following directly onto their corresponding fields:
- main_uncompressed
- alldata.bin
- alldata.psb.m
- MArchiveBatchTool folder
- Extraction destination folder
They can also be located on completely different drives.
The application handles the necessary paths automatically.
Progress Information
During extraction, a green progress meter fills from left to right.The application also displays the current processing stage.
Typical stages include:
- Preparing
- Validating input files
- Creating the temporary workspace
- Copying archive files
- Starting MArchiveBatchTool
- Extracting archive data
- Checking extraction results
- Moving extracted files
- Cleaning up temporary data
- Completed
Real-Time Log
Output from MArchiveBatchTool.exe is displayed directly inside the application.Both standard output and error output are shown in real time.
This makes it easier to understand what the extraction process is doing and diagnose problems.
Use Clear Log to remove the currently displayed log.
Language Support
The application automatically selects its display language based on the Windows system language.You can manually change the language at any time from the Language menu.
Currently supported languages:
- Japanese
- English
- Simplified Chinese
- Traditional Chinese
- Korean
- German
- French
- Spanish
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Russian
High-DPI Support
NX Seed Finder and Extractor is designed to work correctly with common Windows display scaling settings.Examples include:
- 100%
- 125%
- 150%
- 175%
- 200%
File Locations
The following files may all be stored in different directories:main_uncompressed
alldata.bin
alldata.psb.m
MArchiveBatchTool.exe
The extraction destination may also be located on another drive.
The application creates and manages the required temporary workspace automatically.
Basic Workflow
Seed Detection Only
main_uncompressed↓
Find Seed
↓
Seed Result
Only main_uncompressed is required.
Seed Detection and Extraction
main_uncompressed↓
Find Seed
↓
Detected Seed / No Seed
↓
Select MArchiveBatchTool folder
↓
Select alldata.bin
↓
Select alldata.psb.m
↓
Select extraction destination
↓
Extract
↓
alldata.psb.m_extracted
Troubleshooting
The Application Displays "No Seed"
This may mean the title genuinely does not use a seed.It may also mean the current detection algorithm does not support that title.
Try extraction using the automatically selected No Seed mode.
Seed Detection Works but Extraction Fails
Check that:- MArchiveBatchTool.exe is present in the selected folder
- alldata.bin is correct
- alldata.psb.m is correct
- Both archive files belong to the same title/version
- The extraction destination is writable
- There is enough free disk space
MArchiveBatchTool Cannot Be Found
Select the folder containing:MArchiveBatchTool.exe
Do not select an unrelated folder.
You can also drag and drop the folder into the application.
The Extracted Folder Already Exists
The application includes safeguards for an existing:alldata.psb.m_extracted
directory.
Existing extraction data is handled carefully to reduce the chance of accidental data loss if a new extraction fails.
Drag and Drop Does Not Select the Expected Item
Make sure the item is dropped onto the corresponding input field.For example:
- Drop main_uncompressed onto the main file field.
- Drop alldata.bin onto the alldata.bin field.
- Drop alldata.psb.m onto the alldata.psb.m field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need MArchiveBatchTool Just to Find the Seed?
No.If you only want to detect the seed, you only need:
main_uncompressed
Do All Titles Have a Seed?
No.Some titles may not use a normal seed.
The application can display No Seed for these titles.
However, No Seed may also mean that the current detection method cannot identify the seed.
Can the Files Be on Different Drives?
Yes.For example:
C:\Tools\MArchiveBatchTool.exe
D:\Game\main_uncompressed
E:\Archive\alldata.bin
E:\Archive\alldata.psb.m
F:\Extracted\
is supported.
Can I Copy the Detected Seed?
Yes.The detected seed is displayed in a selectable text field and can be copied normally.
Does the Application Modify main_uncompressed?
No.main_uncompressed is analyzed as an input file.
Does the Application Include MArchiveBatchTool?
No.MArchiveBatchTool.exe is an external tool and must be provided separately.
Seed Detection Method
NX Seed Finder and Extractor does not simply search for a hard-coded seed string.The detector analyzes characteristics of the executable data, including known MArchive initialization patterns and ARM64 string references.
The detection system uses multiple conditions to reduce false positives.
Because titles may use different implementations, detection is not guaranteed for every title.
Safety and Error Handling
The application includes checks intended to reduce common extraction problems.Examples include:
- Input file validation
- Process execution checks
- Temporary workspace handling
- Extraction result validation
- Existing output folder protection
- Process exit-code checking
- Real-time error logging
- Prevention of overlapping seed detection and extraction operations
External Tools
Archive extraction requires:MArchiveBatchTool
MArchiveBatchTool.exe must be obtained separately.NX Seed Finder and Extractor only calls the executable selected by the user.
hactool
A tool such as hactool may be used to obtain main_uncompressed from a legally obtained Nintendo Switch main file.hactool is not required by NX Seed Finder and Extractor itself once main_uncompressed has already been created.
Known Limitations
- Seed detection may not work with every MArchive implementation.
- A No Seed result can mean either that no seed exists or that the current detector cannot identify it.
- Extraction compatibility depends on MArchiveBatchTool.exe.
- New or significantly different MArchive implementations may require future detector updates.
Disclaimer
This project is intended for research, interoperability, preservation, and analysis of files that you legally own or are authorized to access.No copyrighted game data is included with this project.
Users are responsible for ensuring that their use of the software complies with applicable laws and licenses.
Credits
NX Seed Finder and Extractor uses MArchiveBatchTool.exe as an external extraction tool when archive extraction is requested.Thanks to the developers and researchers whose work has contributed to understanding MArchive formats.
