AudioShell

Media players use ID3 metadata to display audio files correctly. If an audio file's ID3 tag is blank, it will show up as an unknown song by an unknown artist in a playlist, even if its file name seems correct. There are many applications on the Internet which can be used to edit tag information, but if you are in a hurry to add or correct metadata on your audio files, you can use AudioShell. What makes it different from other tag editors is the fact that it works as a shell extension for Windows Explorer. This means that you can start editing ID3 tags, just by right clicking your audio files and selecting the appropriate option.

AudioShell is distributed as a freeware application. It works on Windows Vista, Win 7 and Win 8 and you can find a separate setup file for Windows XP. The application doesn't have any special requirements and it can be installed in just a few seconds.

Once installed, AudioShell will add new options in Windows Explorer's context menu. They will show up when you select audio files. You can select these options to launch a tag editor, a batch renaming utility and the application's general settings menu.

The tag editor's interface consists of multiple tabs, on which you can specify general information about your songs, add lyrics, additional details and sorting information. The general information can include anything, from a song's title to its year or genre. You can also add personal comments, ratings, URLs and cover art images.

AudioShell's batch renaming feature is quite easy to use. All you have to do is insert one or more predefined variables, depending on how you wish to rename your files. You can add variables, like song, artist or album name, year, file number and many more. Additionally, the application allows you to save your selection, so you can use it again, at a later date. AudioShell provides support for numerous audio formats and you can associate the program with specific file extensions in the general settings menu.