In Windows 10 Explorer, how do I change name used for "Type" of file?

ship69 · 29 Jan 2020

HelloIn Windows 10 explorer, how do I change the name of each file type that appears in the "Type" column?The problem is that all Microsoft documents start with the word "Microsoft" and when you have a narrow Type colum you cant distinguish a "Microsoft Excel Document" file from a "Microsoft Word Document" file.So I would like to change "Microsoft Excel Document" to something much shorter like "MS Excel".And word to "MS Word"ThanksJ

dalchina · 29 Jan 2020

Hi, a convenient utility to use to save accessing the registry is this:

In Windows 10 Explorer, how do I change name used for "Type" of file?-1.png

EdTittel · 29 Jan 2020

Search would of course show this, but this program -- FileTypesMan -- comes from Nir Sofer at Nirsoft.net. Find it here: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/file_types_manager.html. Like many of his tools, this one's a gem.
--Ed--

rprgrmr · 22 Jul 2021

But this creates a dependency on this software and so is only partially helpful. How does one edit the registry to make the change?

dalchina · 22 Jul 2021

Then use that program to find the related registry keys and data:

In Windows 10 Explorer, how do I change name used for "Type" of file?-untitled.png

Note those and use the registry directly.

Programming and computers is about levels of abstraction. Drivers separate you from directly interacting with hardware registers and interfaces, providing a greater level of functionality and usability.

Filetypesman separates you from using the low-level registry, providing a a greater level of functionality and usability, thus reducing the possibility of error.

Why are you afraid of using a free tool from a good source?

Barman58 · 22 Jul 2021

If you want to have access to a wide range of tools from ... Microsoft Windows, Nir Sofer, and the Sysinternals Suite take a look at Windows System Control Center [WSCC] which is free for personal use, includes a description of each tools use, it's syntax and will also keep the utilities up to date for you

KLS SOFT - WSCC - Windows System Control Center

Berton · 22 Jul 2021

when you have a narrow Type colum you cant distinguish a "Microsoft Excel Document" file from a "Microsoft Word Document" file

A different take on it, File Explorer actually looks like a spreadsheet and just like a spreadsheet moving the mouse to the heading of a column and then slowly to the divider between the column names until it turns to a double-arrow can click and drag to resize the columns. Or when that double-arrow arrow appears just double-click and it will auto-resize to the widest text in the column.

rprgrmr · 23 Jul 2021

dalchina said:

Then use that program to find the related registry keys and data:

Note those and use the registry directly.

Programming and computers is about levels of abstraction. Drivers separate you from directly interacting with hardware registers and interfaces, providing a greater level of functionality and usability.

Filetypesman separates you from using the low-level registry, providing a a greater level of functionality and usability, thus reducing the possibility of error.

Why are you afraid of using a free tool from a good source?

You make some valid points but there are alternative points of view. Those who want to use this tool may use it. Perhaps it is a fine one. On the other hand, Windows 10 will always have a registry but may not have access to this program. Maybe I can edit a registry in my restricted environment but cannot download software. Why implement unnecessary layers? Why hide knowledge behind an app?

As for afraid, I have only now heard of this program. How do I know it is not a trojan or that it will be around later when I need it? For me, offering this tool is a bit like giving someone a fish vs teaching them to fish.

dalchina · 23 Jul 2021

Nirsoft's software is reputable. You are also clearly saying you have no trust in me. Thus why come here?

Help here is free- equally, you are free to refuse it. Good luck!

Barman58 · 23 Jul 2021

If you are working in a restricted environment editing the registry would be one of the first things blocked - Or it was when I was a system Admin