For files without an extension name, or some proprietary format of files that any common software cannot read/write, if you're sure it's a media file, then you can try using MediaInfo to detect its file metadata first. Alternatively, you can also direct use FileAnalysis to analyze its file type, thus determine that what software generated, encapsulated or encrypted this file.

FileAnalysis (AKA: 文件类型分析器) is a free and handy file information (type, real extension, encoding, development tool, compressor, MD5 code, etc.) analyzer & viewer developed by Lacsap from China. It supports drag & drop operation, association with system context/right-click menu, and logging function.

FileAnalysis is developed based on the TrID (File Identifier) kernel, and its interface functions are provided by mark0.net. Its working principle is read and analyze the signature code within a file, then compare it with the signature info in the software inbuilt file types database, finally list the analysis result according to the "possibility". For now, FileAnalysis has been able to detect 9148 types of files, and the accuracy of file identification is as high as 95%. Although its official site has disappeared, it still works well with its database interface updating normally. That means more file types will be included.

As a software developer, checking file's encoding, developing tool, and MD5 hash value is necessary; As a customer or player, comparing MD5 code can determine whether a file has been illegally modified; As a normal user, understanding the unknown file type and its real extension can indirectly prevent virus intrusion and know the purpose of file. BTW, if utilizing FileAnalysis or MediaInfo still cannot detect any useful information about a file, then I think you have to find the official, special tool that generated or provided this file.

Download URLs

License Version Download Size
Freeware v2.2.1 Final 1.59 MB
(No Homepage)