Attribute Changer

BETA 2 released on 4 August 2026. Attribute Changer 11.50 is now feature complete.

As written in my previous post some weeks ago, I ran into some issues implementing new features in the current 27 year old code base. Some reengineering has been done over the years, but no fundamental modernization.

Some months ago, I began using AI to review the complete source code. The results confirmed that the application was build on a solid foundation, but also highlighted some age-related architectural issues. The modernization was about refreshing mature code, removing historical leftovers, and making future maintenance easier.

Attribute Changer 11.50 is the outcome of this modernization with an updated application architecture and modernized, hardened source code. And it still follows the KISS principle I adopted since the beginning of Attribute Changer development back in 1999. To make the new version more enjoyable, I added a few additions:

· Fixed application crash when recursing deep trees with activated logging
· Changing LNK shortcuts did not work
· High precision part of NTFS timestamp is no more reset to 0
· Removed 32-bit support
· Revamped application architecture and code
· Hold CTRL key when clicking on Export button to choose temporary export location
· Full name rename options for ‘All’ processing mode
· Folder location in export dialog is now clickable to open report location
· Option to enable/disable export confirmation message
· Chronologically sort datetime columns in detailed report
· Add elapsed processing time to summary report
· Rewrite shell extension in C++ to provide full ARM64 support
· Updated Innosetup to version 7
· Modernize legacy source code
· Hardening source code

You can get the BETA release from the Download page and please report back any issue. I did lot of regression testing and did not find any blocker. All languages are fully translated since BETA 2.

If you find this program useful, please consider making a donation. Many thanks for your contribution!

You may asked yourself what happened in the last year since releasing version 11.40b

Well, I took a long break from development as I ran into issues implementing new features in the current code base. Attribute Changer is a 27 year old application and some reengineering has been done over the years, but no fundamental modernization. This was simply not possible as I am the only developer and have limited spare time.

Some months ago, I began using AI to review the complete source code. The results confirmed that the application was build on a solid foundation, but also highlighted some age-related architectural issues. The modernization was about refreshing mature code, removing historical leftovers, and making future maintenance easier.

The lessons learned with AI is to not let the agent take decisions, but take time to decide on the future architecture of the application and define clear rules for the AI agent. Otherwise the agent tends to generate bloated and unmaintainable code. Currently, the modernization phase is finished and I’m testing the application.

Attribute Changer is still the same tool users know, but it will have a stronger and cleaner foundation for the years ahead.

Two issues were reported by users and they are fixed in the maintenance release 11.40b of Attribute Changer.

The application crashed by clicking on columns to sort the contents in the reporting window when no items were logged. Another issue is related to displaying AM/PM information for time stamps in reports. AM and PM were displayed as AM AM and PM PM.

If you find this program useful, please consider making a donation. Many thanks for your contribution!

Attribute Changer 11.40 is ignoring the unchecked ‘Always display Processing Report’ setting under some circumstances and users needed to click twice on the OK button to close the application.

Using the Apply button always triggered the processing report to be displayed, even if the setting has been unchecked.

The regression has been fixed in the maintenance release 11.40a of Attribute Changer.

I’m pleased to announce a new release of Attribute Changer, focusing mainly on report generation feature and adding some user experience enhancements.

· Fixed issue with Apply button not disabled for first drag and drop operation in portable mode
· Option to add summary information into exported log files
· Option to automatically export log files
· Option to define log file export location
· Use modern Windows directory selector dialog
· Information dialog boxes are now displayed in middle of AC window

If you find this program useful, please consider making a donation. Many thanks for your contribution!

A maintenance release of Attribute Changer 11.30 is available and can be downloaded free of charge.

It fixes an issue that prevented reading EXIF information when an invalid tag was present in the EXIF header of a JPEG image.

If you find this program useful, please consider making a donation. Many thanks for your contribution!