You right-click a folder of music files and find half the tags are missing or garbled, and you have to open a separate program just to fix them. AudioShell puts the tag editing inside Windows Explorer, so you fix tags where you already browse your files.
Quick facts
- Version: 2.3.6
- Platforms: Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10, 32 and 64 bit
- Price: Free (freeware)
- Made by: Softpointer Inc
Key features
Edit ID3 and other tags straight from the Explorer menu
AudioShell adds a tag editor and file rename tools to the pop-up menu for music files. You don't need to launch a separate player or library manager.
Change tags for many files in one go
The multi-file tag editor lets you apply edits to a whole selection of tracks. The same tag frames are available as in the single-file editor.
See tag details in Explorer columns and the Preview pane
A property handler shows music tag information in Explorer columns and the Preview pane. Fields can also be edited directly in Explorer's properties.
Album art thumbnails in your folders
A thumbnail handler shows the album art embedded in your files as the Explorer thumbnail.
Wide format coverage
- mp3 with all ID3 tag versions
- Windows Media: wma, asf, wmv
- Apple iTunes AAC: m4a, m4p, m4r, m4b, plus mp4 and aiff
- ogg, flac, opus, speex (vorbis comments)
- mpc, mp+, Monkey's Audio, WavPack, OptimFROG, True Audio (APE tags)
- wav and dsf (DSD)
It has full Unicode support and a built-in check for updates.
Who it's for
It suits you if you keep a local music collection in many formats and want to fix tags quickly without leaving Explorer. If you want a full library manager with its own playback and organizing, this is only a tag tool. The vendor's separate Tag&Rename program is its larger tag editor.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free
- Works inside Explorer, with no separate window to manage
- Many formats, including opus, aiff and DSD
- Runs on 32 and 64 bit Windows
Cons
- Windows only, and it is built for Vista and later
- Windows XP needs an older version
- It does not manage or play your library
FAQs
Is AudioShell really free?
Yes. The vendor describes it as freeware.
Does it work on Windows XP?
The current version is designed for Vista and later. The vendor keeps an older XP 32 bit version on a separate page.
Can I edit several files at once?
Yes, the multi-file tag editor handles that. You can also rename files from the same menu.
Does it support FLAC and OGG?
Yes. Both are supported through vorbis comment tags, along with opus and speex.
System requirements
- Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 or 10
- 32 bit or 64 bit