WhatFormat

WhatFormat is a handy tool for figuring out what kind of file you have, even if the filename doesn't tell you much. Sometimes, files can have the same extension but are actually different formats. Or maybe a file just has the wrong extension altogether. That's where WhatFormat comes in!

How Does WhatFormat Work?

This software looks at the first few bytes of a file to find something called 'magic numbers'—these are like little signatures that tell us about the file's format. It's pretty cool because it can make a good guess about what type of file you’re dealing with.

Easy to Use

The best part? WhatFormat is super easy to use and takes up only about 50 KB of space on your computer! You won’t even notice it's there.

What Can You Do with WhatFormat?

• Identify Unknown Files: If you've downloaded a file from the internet and have no clue what it is, WhatFormat can help! It checks both those magic numbers and the filename extension to give you an idea of what you're working with.


• Get Suggestions: The latest version (1.4) even gives you tips on which programs might open or convert your file!


• Rename Files: If WhatFormat identifies a file's header, it may suggest other extensions that could work better. This is especially useful if you struggle to open a file using its current name.


• Error Checking: If things aren't opening right, check if the header matches the extension. If they don’t match, renaming could be your solution!


• Version Numbers Matter: Pay attention to version numbers too! For example, if it says your ZIP needs version '2.xx' but you're using '1.xx', you'll need an update.


• Tackle Backup Files: You can also use WhatFormat to look at *.bak files or *.chk files created by tools like Chkdsk or Norton Disk Doctor.

Requirements:

• You need at least a 486 PC.


• The msvbvm50.dll must be in your Windows system directory.