Vista won't show file version

XP would always show a file's "Product version" even if it was a file of
unknown format. I could go into Details view, add the Product Version column,
and it would show up.

Now in Vista, the "file version" won't show up unless I switch the file
extension to DLL, for example. Even if I right-click the file and go to
Properties, there's no version tab (again unless I switch the extension).

We're always dealing with file versions in our business so this is very
important to be able to easily determine file versions.

Even if I associate the file with a program, still nada.

"anon0918" <> wrote in message
news:1C94B350-569F-4292-BA0A-...
> XP would always show a file's "Product version" even if it was a file of
> unknown format. I could go into Details view, add the Product Version
> column,
> and it would show up.
>
> Now in Vista, the "file version" won't show up unless I switch the file
> extension to DLL, for example. Even if I right-click the file and go to
> Properties, there's no version tab (again unless I switch the extension).
>
> We're always dealing with file versions in our business so this is very
> important to be able to easily determine file versions.
>
> Even if I associate the file with a program, still nada.
>
In Explorer use the View button as a toggle to change views and in Details,
right click in the header area and choose what detail you want shown

--
Ian

"Ian Betts" wrote:

>
>
> "anon0918" <> wrote in message
> news:1C94B350-569F-4292-BA0A-...
> > XP would always show a file's "Product version" even if it was a file of
> > unknown format. I could go into Details view, add the Product Version
> > column,
> > and it would show up.
> >
> > Now in Vista, the "file version" won't show up unless I switch the file
> > extension to DLL, for example. Even if I right-click the file and go to
> > Properties, there's no version tab (again unless I switch the extension).
> >
> > We're always dealing with file versions in our business so this is very
> > important to be able to easily determine file versions.
> >
> > Even if I associate the file with a program, still nada.
> >
> In Explorer use the View button as a toggle to change views and in Details,
> right click in the header area and choose what detail you want shown
>
> --
> Ian

I know all about adding columns, as I already stated. The product versions
for specific files that have a "product version" set are not showing up in
that column. It shows up fine if I switch the extension to DLL for example.

In case you haven't done so:

- Open Windows Explorer
- Click on "Organize" and then "Folder and Search Options"
- Click on the "View" tab
- Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types"
- Click "OK"
Now, when you mouseover a file, e.g., an ".exe" or ".dll" file, etc., the
version info will be displayed in the Tooltip.


"anon0918" <> wrote in message
news:0A037C48-236C-4352-84A4-...
> "Ian Betts" wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> "anon0918" <> wrote in message
>> news:1C94B350-569F-4292-BA0A-...
>> > XP would always show a file's "Product version" even if it was a file
>> > of
>> > unknown format. I could go into Details view, add the Product Version
>> > column,
>> > and it would show up.
>> >
>> > Now in Vista, the "file version" won't show up unless I switch the file
>> > extension to DLL, for example. Even if I right-click the file and go to
>> > Properties, there's no version tab (again unless I switch the
>> > extension).
>> >
>> > We're always dealing with file versions in our business so this is very
>> > important to be able to easily determine file versions.
>> >
>> > Even if I associate the file with a program, still nada.
>> >
>> In Explorer use the View button as a toggle to change views and in
>> Details,
>> right click in the header area and choose what detail you want shown
>>
>> --
>> Ian
>
> I know all about adding columns, as I already stated. The product versions
> for specific files that have a "product version" set are not showing up in
> that column. It shows up fine if I switch the extension to DLL for
> example.
>

This is not at all what I was talking about. Simply read my ENTIRE original
post and assume I know XP through and through.

What's the registered Property Handler for that file type?

--
Speaking for myself only.
See http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html for some helpful WMP info.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
--
"anon0918" <> wrote in message
news:1C94B350-569F-4292-BA0A-...
> XP would always show a file's "Product version" even if it was a file of
> unknown format. I could go into Details view, add the Product Version
> column,
> and it would show up.
>
> Now in Vista, the "file version" won't show up unless I switch the file
> extension to DLL, for example. Even if I right-click the file and go to
> Properties, there's no version tab (again unless I switch the extension).
>
> We're always dealing with file versions in our business so this is very
> important to be able to easily determine file versions.
>
> Even if I associate the file with a program, still nada.

The files in question are actually DLLs, with different extensions. In XP,
Windows interpreted the file version fine, but Vista doesn't want to. Do we
need to write a DLL that knows how to open that filetype and read the
properties? Can you give me any useful links explaining this?

Thanks.


"zachd [MSFT]" wrote:

>
> What's the registered Property Handler for that file type?
>
> --
> Speaking for myself only.
> See http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html for some helpful WMP info.
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> --
> "anon0918" <> wrote in message
> news:1C94B350-569F-4292-BA0A-...
> > XP would always show a file's "Product version" even if it was a file of
> > unknown format. I could go into Details view, add the Product Version
> > column,
> > and it would show up.
> >
> > Now in Vista, the "file version" won't show up unless I switch the file
> > extension to DLL, for example. Even if I right-click the file and go to
> > Properties, there's no version tab (again unless I switch the extension).
> >
> > We're always dealing with file versions in our business so this is very
> > important to be able to easily determine file versions.
> >
> > Even if I associate the file with a program, still nada.
>
>
>

We tried copying the ID specified in the registry for handling .dll files to
our own filetype, but that didn't work. Did Vista make changes to the
shell32.dll so that it will only handle DLLs?

"zachd [MSFT]" wrote:

>
> What's the registered Property Handler for that file type?
>
> --
> Speaking for myself only.
> See http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html for some helpful WMP info.
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> --
> "anon0918" <> wrote in message
> news:1C94B350-569F-4292-BA0A-...
> > XP would always show a file's "Product version" even if it was a file of
> > unknown format. I could go into Details view, add the Product Version
> > column,
> > and it would show up.
> >
> > Now in Vista, the "file version" won't show up unless I switch the file
> > extension to DLL, for example. Even if I right-click the file and go to
> > Properties, there's no version tab (again unless I switch the extension).
> >
> > We're always dealing with file versions in our business so this is very
> > important to be able to easily determine file versions.
> >
> > Even if I associate the file with a program, still nada.
>
>
>

I would think that investigating IPropertyStore on MSDN would lead you in
the right direction. Additionally, Ben --
http://blogs.msdn.com/benkaras/ -- has written a fair amount about property
handlers for "custom" file types.

As re: reusing existing PropertyHandlers for your own private type -- I'm
not aware of the internals of that code, so couldn't speak to it.

This is definitely not an area of my expertise, but -- hopefully this
propels you along in the right direction.

--
Speaking for myself only.
See http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html for some helpful WMP info.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
--
"anon0918" <> wrote in message
news:58876D24-444E-41EB-A47A-...
> The files in question are actually DLLs, with different extensions. In XP,
> Windows interpreted the file version fine, but Vista doesn't want to. Do
> we
> need to write a DLL that knows how to open that filetype and read the
> properties? Can you give me any useful links explaining this?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> "zachd [MSFT]" wrote:
>
>>
>> What's the registered Property Handler for that file type?
>>
>> --
>> Speaking for myself only.
>> See http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html for some helpful WMP info.
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>> --
>> "anon0918" <> wrote in message
>> news:1C94B350-569F-4292-BA0A-...
>> > XP would always show a file's "Product version" even if it was a file
>> > of
>> > unknown format. I could go into Details view, add the Product Version
>> > column,
>> > and it would show up.
>> >
>> > Now in Vista, the "file version" won't show up unless I switch the file
>> > extension to DLL, for example. Even if I right-click the file and go to
>> > Properties, there's no version tab (again unless I switch the
>> > extension).
>> >
>> > We're always dealing with file versions in our business so this is very
>> > important to be able to easily determine file versions.
>> >
>> > Even if I associate the file with a program, still nada.
>>
>>
>>