Can I edit the Type column on Windows Explorer?

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  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #1

    Can I edit the Type column on Windows Explorer?


    Hi!
    I just updated VLC player to 3.0.3 and I noticed that all associated files now appear as VLC media file, whereas before they would appear as what they were (mp4, mpg,etc). I want them to be associated, but to appear as exactly what they are. Nothing else has changed, it's related to this upgrading. I've always had all those video files associated with VLC, but they've always shown their right type (but all with a VLC icon). I need explorer to tell me what they are and not have to see properties on each file.
    Can this be done?

    Thank you
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Can I edit the Type column on Windows Explorer?-clipboard01.jpg  
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  2. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #2

    Hi Twoboots, welcome to Seven Forums,

    I also updated VLC [which I have used for years as you can pretty much throw anything at it and it will play] and found exactly as you described. I too like to know what each file type is associated with a particular file. I know that you can unhide the file extensions in the folder options [I know this is a Windows solution as opposed to a VLC solution] but that makes the files names messy and harder to read in my opinion.

    I know an alternative is to downgrade to the version prior to v3.0.3 [v2.2.8] but that is not really the answer.

    Anyway, I have emailed VideoLAN asking them if it can be changed within the program to show the suffixes. I will post the answer here when they reply.

    I hope this helps!
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,464
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #3

    This is a bad practice many programs engage in, and I totally agree that's simply better to see the real file type.

    That column comes from the file association stored in the registry. Up to Windows XP you can directly edit those in a nice dialog in Explorer, but it was removed in Vista, leaving direct registry edition the only built-in choice. Some software attempt to recreate the same removed function, one of my favorite being FileTypesMan, it can edit many properties of file association, including the type description you're mentioning.

    Editing the registry by hand is still a superior alternative, but more difficult. Tell me if you want to do it that way and I'll post the required changes.

    Also, I've noted in your screenshots that your Explorer is configured to hide file extensions. A quick and dirty solution is to just enable it (as easy as changing a setting in Explorer) and the files will reflect their "type" right away, showing something like "video.mpg" or "video.avi" instead of just "video".
    In addition, having extensions hidden is a serious security vulnerability.
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  4. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #4

    Hi Alejandro85,

    Thanks for the detailed information, it is appreciated.
    I would certainly be interested in the editing the registry [after doing a full registry backup of course!] to accomplish getting back the actual suffixes.

    Thanks in advance.
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  5. Posts : 7,349
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #5

    On my computer, most files that has a associate program to open with has this program on the type. So *.doc is MS Word 97-2003, *.docx is MS Word, *.xls is Excel 97-2003.

    For safety reasons, you should set Explorer to show all extensions. For example, girl.jpg.exe is shown as girl.jpg when in fact is a executable file.
    Open Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Folder Options - View tab and un mark Hide extensions of known types.
    Than you'll see the extension on the name.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thank you all for your replies. First of all, it's nice knowing I'm not alone in this and also that I was understood (that's always a concern for me when I enter a forum like this one).
    I don't feel confident enough to mess with the registry to be honest. Should I hope the next VLC update changes this?... Maybe.
    I didn't know hiding extensions was a vulnerability, but I get it now. I guess I rely on my Antivirus way too much. As Paul Black says, it's messy an harder to read. But I guess it's my way out for now, so thank you.
    I won't mark as solved for now in case Paul wants instructions...?
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  7. Posts : 176
    Win 7 Ult 64-bit
       #7

    I am using Daum Pot Player as default player and it has different icons for every multimedia file so You at a glance can see it.
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  8. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #8

    Paul Black said:
    I have emailed VideoLAN asking them if it can be changed within the program to show the suffixes. I will post the answer here when they reply.
    Just an update to say that I have not received a reply from VideoLAN as of yet but I will post their reply when I eventually do.

    As Twoboots has also mentioned I am interested in Alejandro85 offer to post the required changes when he has time.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    BisVal said:
    I am using Daum Pot Player as default player and it has different icons for every multimedia file so You at a glance can see it.
    I've heard good things about it. As you can imagine, a creature of habits will find it difficult to change programs, but I will keep it in mind.There are a few things I absolutely want and I know VLC does.


    Paul Black said:
    Just an update to say that I have not received a reply from VideoLAN as of yet but I will post their reply when I eventually do.
    Thank you, I'll appreciate that!
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #10

    VideoLAN Update.


    I have just received a reply to my email from VideoLAN [VLC] saying that it can be changed and they will look into it .
      My Computer


 
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