Flac files incorrectly displayed as mp3 file type in explorer

[Gums]

OK. Having kind of a bad PC day today. I've been using a flac codec from xiph.org (has a tiny fish head icon). Tried the Winamp media player yesterday and it just wasn't for me. Long story short. Uninstalled Winamp and did a ccleaner registry cleanup. (Probably cleaned too much.) My flac files in explorer now have an mp3 logo and under the 'type' column it shows, "Mp3 Format Sound" I uninstalled, reinstalled the xiph codec and it still shows the mp3 logo and description. Funny thing is they play just fine with the xiph codec installed. Without it, no playback is possible so I know that they're still flac not mp3. These flac files were never converted but now they're labeled/displayed incorrectly as mp3 format and the tiny little xiph fish head logo is no longer there. I've tried a system restore but it didn't work. Ideas? Suggestions? Much obliged and greatly appreciated! Thanks again! Todd

 

[dsperber]

Don't know what issues you had with using Winamp, for FLAC or other audio media formats, that you didn't like. Perhaps you didn't install it with some customized choices that would give you what you really wanted. I've been using Winamp for 15 years and would be glad to help provide some insights, both for installation and use.

However the use of Winamp for FLAC playback doesn't involve installation of a codec (which would allow other players such as Windows Media Player to be used for FLAC). Winamp itself can simply play FLAC itself with its own built-in capabilities, and that's all I care about since the installation of Winamp associates FLAC with Winamp and that's what I want. I generally don't use WMP to play music, I use Winamp.

Anyway, using the "Default Programs" program (from the Start menu) you should be able to set the default program associated with FLAC (forget about the icon for the moment). What program name shows there now? Do you want it to be Windows Media Player? It would have been Winamp if you'd installed Winamp and left it installed (as you can see in my screenshot below), but you can change the default program to say be WMP if you want.

Now if you do change the default program to specify WMP for FLAC, I would think you'd then get the WMP icon for FLAC files.

You can change the icon associated with a file type by using a nifty 3rd-party program from NirSoft, a program named FileTypesMan. This program makes it trivial to modify things in Win7 that used to be easy to modify in WinXP (e.g. file type icons) which are far more difficult and challenging in Win7.

Assuming you have a valid "fish" ICO from your xiph FLAC codec install, you can easly use FileTypesMan to set that ICO as the associated file type icon for FLAC. Don't forget to log off/on (or re-boot) after setting it in order to see the effect of that icon change.


But... again, I would be glad to provide any help or answer any questions you have about Winamp. I love it, including its presentation of an Album Art window (to show off my collection of high-quality 500x500 "cover.jpg" images that I have in each of my album folders). I also use a 3rd-party visualization plug-in named G-Force Platinum, that "dances along with the music, both in beat and mood".

 

[search53]

This is to confirm what dspreber has said. Both the "File Type" description and the icon used in the listing are determined by the program associated with the file extension.

 

[boohbah]

also you could try rebuilding the icons cache.

Icon Cache - Rebuild - Windows 7 Forums

 

[dsperber]

also you could try rebuilding the icons cache.

Icon Cache - Rebuild - Windows 7 Forums

I've used this process (manually entered using a command-prompt as follows, not through a BAT file which I wasn't able to get to work for me... perhaps because I thought it was shutdown /r /t 0 in that last line):

taskkill /IM explorer.exe /F
CD /d %userprofile%\AppData\Local
DEL IconCache.db /a
shutdown /r /t 0
​

But on a number of occasions the "DEL iconcache.db /a" failed because the file was claimed to be "not found". Looking deeper, the "H" (hidden) attribute was on for the file and I had to un-hide it in order to delete it.

However even after deleting the file and then rebooting, the re-boot did not rebuild the iconcache.db file for some inexplicable reason!

Almost always the above commands and the re-boot works perfectly. But again, every so often it doesn't work and I have to be "creative" to get iconcache.db to be rebuilt correctly by the system (even when it didn't get rebuilt automatically by the re-boot even after deleting it).

I've learned that a way to guarantee and force Windows to rebuild iconcache.db is to change the display properties color characteristics:

(1) right-click on desktop, select "Screen resolution", click on "Advanced settings" to get your display driver's properties/setup dialog, select "monitor" tab or wherever your "colors" item lives, change from "true color (32-bit)" to "high color (16-bit)", and OK all the way back out.

(2) re-boot. The change in color from 32-bit to 16-bit will force Windows to re-build iconcache.db automatically.

(3) repeat the (1) process but this time going from 16-bit back to the original 32-bit color.

(4) re-boot. Again, the change in color from 16-bit to 32-bit will again force Windows to re-build iconcache.db automatically.

This color-depth change "trick" method to trigger Windows itself to automatically do the iconcache.db re-build seems to work 100% reliably, even if the earlier command method described in the forum tutorial inexplicably fails occasionally (as it has for me several time) as I've described.

 

[boohbah]

clever workaround ,thanks for the tip

 

[Gums]

Here's a couple of screenshots. I have maybe 5% or so of my music files in a flac format. It makes it a lot easier to discern between mp3 and flac. Here's is what it looks like now:



Here's the xiph.org icon.



This was once a part of all my flac files and now it isn't. When I first installed the xiph codec, this was attached by default to all flac files. (I only had one at the time because I was just beginning to use flac.) Any other flac files that were either ripped or downloaded had this by default. vNow I have them listed as, "MP3 Format Sound". What? Before there was no mention of mp3. They have the .flac extension and only playback in WMP using the xiph codec, so there is NO WAY these files have anything to do with mp3. What happened?

 

[Gums]

OK. Downloaded FileTypesMan. Now, how do I use it?

It's pretty wide so it'll take two screenshots.






Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[dsperber]

Here's a couple of screenshots. I have maybe 5% or so of my music files in a flac format. It makes it a lot easier to discern between mp3 and flac. Here's is what it looks like now:

View attachment 188226

If you could spread that first column so that the complete file name and extension is visible in the screenshot, that would be most helpful. I'd like to see if you have all FLAC or a mix of MP3 and FLAC, or what. Seeing the full name and extension would clarify things.

For example, here's one of my album folders containing BOTH MP3 and FLAC files. Since I have Winamp installed and set (during the Winamp install) to be the default player for both file types, its icon shows at the left for all MP3 and FLAC files in this folder.

Also, I'm interested in seeing seeing what your default programs are that are associated with FLAC and MP3. That's not shown by Explorer, but rather by using the Default Programs program.

For example, here are my Default Program entries for both FLAC and MP3, that I'd like to see in your system. Again, for me both of these show that Winamp is the default program associated with each file type. I'd like to see what it is on your system.

 

[dsperber]

Here's the xiph.org icon.

View attachment 188227

Well, that may be the icon associated with the EXE itself, assuming the "application" shown is actually an EXE file, which is not visible since I think you still have "hide extensions for known file types" checked in your Folder Options -> View". I find it very useful to UN-CHECK this option, so that I can see the full file name and extension of ANY FILE I look at (or take a screenshot of).

Is that an actual EXE? For the installer file? Or is there actually an executable program that runs somehow, somewhere, sometime?? Seems mysterious. With Winamp as the default program associated with FLAC files, the Winamp icon is shown for FLAC files because that is exactly how Windows works. But XIPH is not a "player" I don't think, so I don't know what this thing is that you've taken a screenshot of and which has this icon?

To associate a different icon with a file type, other than that of the associated default program (e.g. using FileTypesMan, or other well-known but involved Windows Registry hacks) you need an actual ICO file. So you'd need to extract that icon from within that EXE file and save it as an actual ICO file. There are a large number of free and non-free products out there to extract icons from within an EXE, and save it as an ICO.

However, looking more closely at what FileTypesMan shows on my setup as the default icon for FLAC, it's specified as: c:\Program Files (X86)\Winamp\winamp.exe,3 so it would appear you can point directly to an EXE file (at least in windows) and there will automatically be a Windows-implemented extraction of the imbedded icon whenever needed in Explorer. In the case of Winamp, there were a set of possible icons the user could choose between, and I'm guessing that the ",3" suffix implies the third of the set of icons.

Anyway, maybe you can simply point to that XIPH.ORG EXE file and let Windows pick up its icon... using FileTypesMan.

 

[Gums]

Hurray!!!! Success!!!! Used FileTypesMan and just walked my way through it. Here's the final result:



One other thing, I guess I haven't really noticed before is the description in the lower left hand corner which reads, "MP3 Format Sound". What does it mean when my file extension is .flac? Is that there on all audio files by default and if so, why? Can't quite figure out the connection.

Here's what I'm referring to:
(highlighted/yellow)



Thanks for all the assistance everyone! You've been most helpful. Sevenforums is such a great place with even greater people!

 

[dsperber]

OK. Downloaded FileTypesMan. Now, how do I use it?

(1) select (left-click) the FLAC entry. Then right-click and select "edit" (or just use F2 keyboard shortcut).

(2) You'll then see the Edit properties dialog for FLAC. Note that for me it is the Winamp icon (imbedded inside the EXE, and icon #3... with #0 being the first or only, #1 being the second, etc.).

(3) For the sake of example, I'm going to change the icon from that of Winamp.exe to that of VLC.exe. So I push the browse button (to the right of the line showing the current default icon path and file name), and navigate to my VLC program directory where the VLC.exe program lives, and from which I'm going to be using its imbedded icon as the new default icon for FLAC files.

(4) I then push the OPEN button on that folder, and FileTypesMan examines all the files in that folder which contain imbedded icons (e.g. EXE, DLL, ICO, etc.) and presents them. In this case there is only one, namely the one and only one icon inside VLC.exe itself. It is pre-selected by default.

(5) I push the OK button (confirming that the selected icon is the one I want to use). The location (and ",0" suffix which implies the first icon imbedded inside that EXE) is now shown in the Edit window.

(6) I push the OK button and FileTypesMan applies the change. At this moment, with the still open original window, the original Winamp icon still shows. But note that over in the default icon column the cell for FLAC now shows what I want, namely a reference to the VLC.exe,0.

(7) I close FileTypesMan, and re-open it, scrolling to the FLAC row. Note that the icon showing next to FLAC is now that of VLC.exe as I want. If I open Explorer, all of my FLAC files will also show the icon of VLC.exe.

 

[flemur13013]

I wanted all the "file types" to be their extensions, so when one sorts on "type" with a file explorer, mp3 is NOT grouped with flac/wav/whatever, all with a type of some variant on "sound file"; same for jpg, gif, tif, etc., their types are their extensions, NOT "Paintshop (or irfanview) image file", or whatever it was.

Here's how:

Delete ALL the reference to the file type in the registry.

I always end up doing this at some point after a XP or Win7 install and it's never caused any problems by removing refs to wav, mp3, flac, jpg, jpeg, gif, bmp, tif, tiff, mpg, flv, avi, and similar file types.

Notes:
- Backup your registry first.
- You'll have to re-do the "open with" for each extension, but that's easy.
- I've never done it with system files, .bin, .exe, etc., just multimedia files.

The image is from FreeCommander file browser.

 

[flemur13013]

Image from Windows file browser - the types are "GIF file", "PNG file", etc.

 

[dsperber]

Hurray!!!! Success!!!! Used FileTypesMan and just walked my way through it. Here's the final result:

View attachment 188248

Glad you worked it out by yourself. My "tutorial" post was being composed in process while you were solving your own problem, but hopefully it will help someone else who may read this thread someday.

One other thing, I guess I haven't really noticed before is the description in the lower left hand corner which reads, "MP3 Format Sound". What does it mean when my file extension is .flac? Is that there on all audio files by default and if so, why? Can't quite figure out the connection.

I repeat again my request for a screenshot you have still not given me. I want to see what your "default program" associated with FLAC shows as. Do you know what I'm referring to? START -> Default programs.

I can only tell you that for my situation, with Winamp associated as my default player for FLAC, I do NOT show in Explorer what you show for FLAC files. They are two separate things... although they both use Winamp as the program.

Here's my Explorer presentation for MP3:

And here's my Explorer presentation for FLAC:

But... I STILL WANT TO SEE YOUR DEFAULT PROGRAMS SCREENSHOT FOR FLAC, as well as MP3. Please.

 

[Gums]

Here they are:






Pretty much WMP 12 all the way. From my experience, Winamp was constantly freezing up on me. For instance, click "Audio" and nothing would happen. Terrible. Very "busy" GUI too. I like stuff basic and simple. Well, maybe not quite as spartan as say, foobar2000. (Is there any way to install a better library?) Also, tried VLC and trying to upload my music library was infuriating. (Can't a guy just import the audio? Sheesh!) I can see why Apple fans love their OS. Very simple. However, it's too simple. Kinda like the Jitterbug phones you buy Grampa! Let me know what you think. Might give MediaMonkey a try next. Looking for the right player/library combo...

 

[Gums]

I sent you the program default for WMP 12. Should really send you the file type default list, correct?

Here it is:

 

[Gums]

Back to an earlier question from a previous post. Why does Windows use "MP3 Format Sound" under the "Description" column for EVERY single audio file type extension? Except for the .mp3 extension of course, what does this description have to do with the mp3 format? Curious to know.

 

[dsperber]

Pretty much WMP 12 all the way.

Well... I'm stumped. You have no default program associated with file type FLAC. There's no entry in that list for FLAC, so I don't understand why/how Windows would launch any program at all when you double-click a FLAC file in Explorer.

This is NOT how things would look if you'd installed Winamp and kept it. You'd see a FLAC entry in that list and Winamp would be the named program, as was shown in my own screenshots.

And yet you say WMP can play FLAC files. But do you have to open WMP and then navigate to FLAC files, and select them and open them... from within WMP? Or does WMP get launched automatically when you double-click a FLAC file in Explorer? This latter action seems impossible now that you've shown the "default programs" list with nothing associated with FLAC.

From my experience, Winamp was constantly freezing up on me. For instance, click "Audio" and nothing would happen.

I have no idea what you're talking about here.

Where is "audio" to click on???

That's not how I play music with Winamp, i.e. within Winamp once it's opened as a "media player" (forgetting about it getting auto-launched automatically when I double-click on a music file in Explorer or any other Explorer-like program).

Assuming the program is open, you can initiate music playing by selecting one or more files using the main interface File -> Play file or Play folder or etc. The file(s) you select will be placed into the "Playlist editor" window and playing will be initiated in the main window.

Alternatively, you can select music through the Playlist Editor window itself, replacing what's there right now or adding (i.e. "enqueing") additional music files to the ones already there.

Terrible.

Well, I'm sure it's just that you're not familiar with it. It's actually a wonderful program as I'm sure many millions of users would attest to.

Very "busy" GUI too.

Not at all.

For me it's got three separate windows: (a) Main player, with EQ dropped down, (b) Playlist editor window, showing current playlist and supporting related playlist functions, and (c) Album Art window to display my 500x500 "cover.jpg" album art.

I like stuff basic and simple. Well, maybe not quite as spartan as say, foobar2000. (Is there any way to install a better library?)

I would recommend a program named Jaangle, which is the music "organizer/player" that I use... in addition to Winamp which is my "external player".

I do NOT use WMP for anything audio. I only use it to play assorted video.

Also, tried VLC and trying to upload my music library was infuriating.

I do NOT use VLC for anything audio. I only use it to play assorted video.

I use Winamp to play all my music. And I use Jaangle as my general collection software for music files, playing music either (a) within Jaangle using its built-in player... including for FLAC (and without any external codec installed), or (b) launching Winamp through playlist music files selected through Jaangle if I feel like it.

Might give MediaMonkey a try next.

I've tried and discarded this program. I do NOT like its "intrusiveness". I use Jaangle for all of the functions that MediaMonkey promises.

Looking for the right player/library combo...

Jaangle is what you should explore. I'll be glad to help you get started.

 

[dsperber]

Back to an earlier question from a previous post. Why does Windows use "MP3 Format Sound" under the "Description" column for EVERY single audio file type extension? Except for the .mp3 extension of course, what does this description have to do with the mp3 format? Curious to know.

I can't answer that question.

I can only believe it's got something do do with what you accomplished when you "installed" that thing from XIPH.ORG, which purportedly allowed you to play FLAC from WMP. I know nothing about this product or what it does, or what changes it makes to your system. But all of those music files which show up on your list as "MP3" files don't show up that way on my system, where (a) Winamp is installed to play all of those music file formats, and (b) no codec from XIPH.ORG is installed.

Again, I do NOT have an external FLAC codec installed (although I do have the command-line FLAC encoder FLAC.EXE available so that I can create my own FLAC files from ripped CD tracks). Neither Winamp nor Jaangle requires that the FLAC codec actually be installed on the system in order for them to play FLAC files. And since I don't use WMP to play music files, I don't need any external FLAC codec "installed" in order that WMP becomes FLAC-capable.

Also, I don't use Windows Explorer for my music collection... nor do I use "Music Library" at all, or any of the extended functionality of Explorer and music. I use Jaangle as my music collection organizer/player, and it requires nothing external to be installed. It's all self-contained with everything built in.