FLAC Frontend is a convenient way for Windows users not used to working with command lines to use the official FLAC tools. It accepts WAVE, W64, AIFF and RAW files for encoding and outputs FLAC or OGG-FLAC files. It is able to decode FLAC files, test them, fingerprint them and re-encode them. It has drag-and-drop support too. It is tested on Windows XP SP3 and Windows 7, but should work with Windows XP SP2 or newer. It requires .NET 2.0 or later.
FLAC Frontend was originally made by w.speek, but hasn't been updated since early 2003. It didn't work well in Windows Vista or later because it wasn't made with UAC in mind. This (full) remake fixes most issues and incorporates a few new FLAC functions. The original was freeware, this remake is GPL-licensed open-source software, just like FLAC itself.
Downloads
Download the latest Windows installer >>Browse older and portable versions >>
Screenshots
FAQ
- Why is this command line thing popping up?
FLAC frontend is a very simple program that just calls the 'real' FLAC encoder, which is command line based. This has been done to keep development of FLAC frontend easy and accessible and makes it possible to change the encoder without having to change anything in the FLAC frontend - Is there drag and drop support?
Yes, there is. Just drag any files or directories to the list box in the top left of the FLAC frontend window. Any directories will automatically be searched (recursively) for .flac, .ogg, .oga and .wav files. - Where is FLAC tester?
FLAC tester has been replaced by the frontend, because the frontend now has drag-and-drop support too. Just drag the files you want to test to the FLAC Frontend and click the test button. - How does the portable version of FLAC Frontend work?
Just unzip the zip-file somewhere convenient and run either FLAC frontend-NET20.exe or FLAC frontend-NET40.exe, depending on which version of the .NET framework you have installed. If you have .NET 2.0, 3.0 or 3.5 you should use NET20, if you have .NET 4.0 or 4.5 use NET40. If you're not sure, just try both. You can just delete the other file if you don't want to have to remember which one is the right one.