Adding Extensions to the Windows File Manager

 Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q96165
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Microsoft Windows File Manager and Microsoft Windows for Workgroups File Manager both support add-on extensions.

MORE INFORMATION

Extensions are special dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) that can be added to the Windows 3.1 File Manager menu or the Windows for Workgroups File Manager toolbar. To install these extensions, edit the WINFILE.INI file based on the example listed below. The .DLL files normally reside in the Windows SYSTEM subdirectory.

Example

To integrate Mail and File Manager utilities with File Manager, add the ADDONS= entry in the [SETTINGS] section of the WINFILE.INI. In addition, add a section called [ADDONS] and the appropriate extensions to the WINFILE.INI.

WINFILE.INI:

[Settings] Addons=Mail,FMUtils 

 :
 :
[Addons] Mail Extensions=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SENDFILE.DLL FMUtils Extensions=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\FMUTILS.DLL

If File Manager cannot load or set up an extension, no error message is displayed, and File Manager removes the extension from the toolbar or menu.

These entries provide additional options on the File Manager menu or toolbar, depending on the version of Windows you are using.

NOTES:

  • In Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11, the maximum number of DLLs that you can add to File Manager is six; however, one of those DLLs must be the Undelete feature. If you do not add Undelete, the maximum number of DLLs is five.
  • In Windows for Workgroups 3.1, the Maximum number of DLLs that you can add to File Manager is five; however one of those DLLs must be the Undelete feature. If you do not add Undelete, the maximum numberof DLLs is four.

The .DLL files used in the above example are found in the following products:

SENDFILE.DLL

Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 Disk 7 (3.5-inch disks) Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 Disk 8 (5.25-inch disks)

FMUTILS.DLL

Windows for Workgroups version 3.1 Resource Kit Setup and Utilities Disk

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

KBCategory: kbusage kbtool
KBSubcategory: wfw win31 wfwg
Additional reference words: 3.10 3.11 Mail FMUtils extensible

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Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
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