File Extensions

File extensions allow you to link a certain type of file to your application. When that file is double-clicked, your application launches and open that file. When you open a text (.txt) file, you are actually sending a message to the operating system, telling it to launch Notepad so you can view the contents of that text file. If you want to provide similar functionality for your application and its files, you can create a file extension association.

Specify File Extension Properties

File extension properties allow you to specify detailed information about the associated file type. Each file extension property is described below:

FileùSelect from the list the executable for which you are creating a file extension association. If you haven't yet added the necessary file to your setup project, it is not displayed in the drop-down list.

Extension-The extension that will be associated with the File.

ProgIDùEnter the progID of the application with which you are associating the file extension.

DescriptionùThis description is registered as the default value for the ProgID in the target system's registry.

CommandùEnter the text you want displayed in the context menu for the Open verb. If you leave this field blank, the word Open appears as the first item in the right-click menu for this type of file. If you prefer it to say Edit with MyProduct, enter &Edit with MyProduct into this field.

ArgumentsùEnter any command-line arguments you want to pass to your application when a file of this type is opened. You can use %1 in your argument to pass the currently selected file name as part of the argument. For example, -p %1 might be resolved to -p C:\MyFile.ext.

Icon FileùEnter the path to the icon (.ico) that contains the icon you want to use for files of this type. You can browse to this file by clicking the browse button.