Can I edit the Type column on Windows Explorer?

[Twoboots]

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

 

[Paul Black]

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!

 

[Alejandro85]

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.

 

[Paul Black]

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.

 

[Megahertz07]

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.

 

[Twoboots]

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...?

 

[BisVal]

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.

 

[Paul Black]

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.

 

[Twoboots]

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.

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!

 

[Paul Black]

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 .

 

[Twoboots]

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

That is GREAT news! Showing the file extensions is not useful to me as they cannot be sorted accordingly. They still get sorted as one and the same type of file. Thank you Paul!

 

[Paul Black]

Hi Twoboots,

That is GREAT news! Thank you Paul!

You're welcome.

I wouldn't like to hazard a guess of how many people use VLC and have done so for years.
I must admit that I am suprised that after the new version was released nobody had questioned the change in file type. Perhaps people haven't noticed it [I don't see how though] or just accept the fact that it is the way the software now works.
As my old man always said to me, "If you don't ask you don't get!".
If they do manage to find a solution, I know that I will welcome it, as I am sure many others will too.
If they notify me that a new release is available that accommodates the change I will post the update and reply here.

 

[Barman58]

Strange thing is that the first thing I do in any new windows install is to switch on file extensions view, I come from an industrial background where files would be created in many formats with the same main body name so the extensions being visible were an essential, and have kept with the system - the main reason is the the extension appears in all the views possible in Windows file manager.

The main use these days is due to the way I name my Images - the file name is always the full date and time of capture EG 2018-06-11.12-30-59-3.DNG The -3 means its the third image taken in that second .DNG is a digital Negative format from Adobe.

The internal metadata allows me to totally control how I look at the file in Lightroom, (even windows shows the metadata in the details tab), so I can group the files by hundreds Millions of different combinations, and find any particular file quickly using a layered search of Metadata

I will often process the one image into different formats for their final use, these retain the filename as some formats do not retain the full metadata, and I can include the filename in searches to collect files together as a group

I also use MediaMonkey to store my media which allows you to add internal metadata to Video and Music files, this can be manipulated far more efficiently than file manager allows, it comes with it's own built-in playback tools but may be set-up to play in your favourite players