File Type Manager

File Type Manager is a Windows utility program that allows you to manage Windows file types, actions and shell extensions. It offers far more functionality than similar programs or the built-in Windows tool. Apart from that it is one of the only programs available that allows you to manage shell extensions.

New features in version 2.0 of File Type Manager:

updated user interface
faster performance
search feature
support for file type flags
support for new shell extension types
documentation

Version 2.0.1 fixes a small bug that caused FTM to hang in some circumstances when querying CLSIDs.

Downloads:

File Type Manager 2.0.1
File Type Manager 2.0.0
File Type Manager 1.0.0

Source Code:

Due to the renewed popularity of File Type Manager (mainly because of Windows Vista) I've decided to make the source code available. Maybe somebody else feels like working on this program some more. Keep in mind that I wrote this when in high school and just learning how to program, so it probably isn't the greatest code. Also it's written in Visual Basic 6. Ugh.

File Type Manager 2.0.1 Source Code

I've licensed it under the LGPL. It includes an ActiveX control that displays the file types, so you could re-use that somewhere else if you wanted to.

Version 2.0 Screenshots:

Main Window
Editing a File Type
Adding a File Extension
Find Dialog
Preferences Dialog
Editing Approved Shell Extensions
Editing MIME Content Types
CLSID Tool
About Dialog
Splash Screen

By frank at 2005-12-11 19:51 | Projects | frank's blog | add new comment

Please update this program.

This is a great little program. If you have Windows Vista it's really handy. I also am having the problem when adding a custom action name. Please update this program.

By Greg L (not verified) at Sat, 2008-07-12 12:16 | reply

source code

I don't have the time to work on FTM anymore. But, I guess there is no reason not to make the source code available, other than that it may be a little embarrassing because I wrote it in highschool when I was just learning how to program. And it's written in VB6. Ugh.

Anyway, I'll post the code sometime this week. Then maybe someone else can keep working on it.

By frank at Tue, 2008-07-22 10:41 | reply

Works great even on Vista X64

Works great even on vista x64!! Thanks a lot

By Per (not verified) at Thu, 2008-06-12 03:53 | reply

FTM 2.0.1 Add New Action

I'm just giving this program a spin, since Vista's new ftype management is a joke. I'm actually on XP SP2 right now, but I'm having a problem when adding a new action. I keep getting an error saying I have to enter a valid action name when I make up my own. It seems I can't create a custom action name like your help file example?

Also, how do I go about adding actions to the "special" types, like "All Files", "Folder", "Drive", etc.? I can edit existing actions just fine, but can't create new ones (the special types are not listed in the filetype dialog).

Thanks for a cool program.

By Anonymous (not verified) at Tue, 2008-06-03 12:42 | reply

not sure

Hi, I'm actually not sure what the answer is. FTM is really old, I haven't used it in ages or worked on it. It's become really popular again lately due to Windows Vista. You should be able to create a custom action name like that, it may be that something changed in Windows with XP SP2 and Vista that doesn't allow this anymore. About the special types ... not sure. Can't you edit them and just add an action?

By frank at Thu, 2008-06-05 13:22 | reply

I'd love to be able to

I'd love to be able to change which application starts a certain filetype from your program but can't find out how. Or if it even supports it.

By Anonymous (not verified) at Sun, 2008-03-23 13:52 | reply

change the "open" action

To do that you have to change the "open" action to use a different program. The open action is the one that is used by default when you double-click a file.

By frank at Mon, 2008-03-31 15:25 | reply

Please dont ever change this

Please dont ever change this utility's UI...the standard windows user interface is what makes it special and better than similar utilities. Thank you very much. Just found it since MS screwed up with Vista.

By Anonymous (not verified) at Mon, 2008-01-28 06:18 | reply

File manager 2.0.1 thank you post

Frank

I don't know you personally but you helped me a lot.
Microsoft released its Vista OS and due to technical problems in my laptop I got it for free
In its premium (Home Edition) I can not change or know which Dll opens what or in other words the files association
but your Visual programming helped me a lot
so 10x a bunch
Yosi
Israel

By Yosi (not verified) at Thu, 2007-10-25 16:08 | reply

Backups?

Hey, great program of yours! Been looking for something like that for a long while now...

What I've been wondering: Could you implement a sort of backup functionality, which lets me backup my most important (not all, that I can do with regedit ;) ) extensions and restore them when needed?

However: Thanks!

By Fabian (not verified) at Wed, 2007-01-03 12:03 | reply

Thank you for your comment.

Thank you for your comment. I'm not actively working on File Type Manager anymore, but I believe you can save/restore your file type settings using Microsoft's File and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP. You can find it under Accessories -> System Tools in the start menu.

Good luck.

By frank at Wed, 2007-01-17 22:45 | reply