Windows 3.1 File Manager Supports Extension DLLs

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q81192
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Microsoft Windows File Manager supports add-on extensions. These extensions interact with the File Manager to provide additional functionality to the program.

MORE INFORMATION

File Manager extensions are special dynamic link libraries (DLLs) that have the ability to add themselves to the menu of File Manager, get information about files selected, and perform special actions on these files.

Extensions are installed by adding a section called [AddOns] to the WINFILE.INI file typically located in the Windows directory. The File Manager looks for extension DLLs listed under the following format. 

   <some-text>=<pathname of the extension>
For example: 

   My Extension=C:\winapps\winutils\addon.dll
The File Manager doesn't care what "<some-text>" is; however, it does need to be unique for each extension.

Each extension is loaded in the order specified in the [AddOns] section of the WINFILE.INI file. The extensions' menus are placed after the Options menu and before the Windows menu in the order specified.

If the File Manager is unable to load or set up the extension, no error is displayed, and the File Manager shuts down the extension DLL.

More information about File Manager extensions and developing these type of programs is available in the Microsoft Windows 3.1 Software Development Kit (SDK).

KBCategory: kbtool
KBSubcategory: win30 win31
Additional reference words: add-on dll windows win31 3.10 3.11

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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