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Guide · Open source

How to use Filee: convert files by drag and drop

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Filee is a free, MIT-licensed desktop app that converts files between formats by drag and drop. It is written in C# and, according to its README, converts files on your own computer without uploading them, and works offline. This guide shows you how to install it, convert your first file, and use its main features.

FileeKnifeLemon/Filee · ★ 20.5k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Install Filee. Download the package for your system from the Releases page and run the Setup file, the portable ZIP, or install.sh.
  2. 2Hold your key. Hold Ctrl on Windows or Linux, or Option on macOS.
  3. 3Drag your file. Drag the file toward your cursor while holding the key, so the donut of formats opens.
  4. 4Drop on a format. Release the file on the format you want. Filee converts it and saves the result next to the original.
  5. 5Adjust presets. Open a file type's toolbar to set quality, size, DPI, PDF or media options.

Install Filee on Windows, macOS or Linux

Download the app from the Releases page linked in the README. Windows 10 and 11 have a Setup installer and a portable ZIP. The Setup file is Filee's own installer and needs nothing else on the PC.

On macOS 13 and later the README marks support as preview. Unpack the osx-arm64 or osx-x64 package and run ./install.sh, or open the .dmg and drag Filee to Applications. The build is not notarized yet, so you may need to allow the first start in System Settings under Privacy & Security.

On Linux x64 or ARM64 (Ubuntu 22.04 or newer), unpack the package and run ./install.sh. The README says this needs no root access and needs Python 3.

  • Windows: run Filee-<version>-win-Setup.exe, or unzip win-Portable.zip and run Filee.exe
  • macOS: unpack the package and run ./install.sh, or use the .dmg
  • Linux: unpack the package and run ./install.sh; drag gestures need X11
./install.sh

Convert your first file with the donut menu

Hold a key (Ctrl on Windows and Linux, Option on macOS), then drag your file. A donut of formats opens at your cursor. Only formats that fit the file you dragged appear.

Drop the file on the format you want. Filee converts it and saves the result next to the original, as the README describes.

  • Hold Ctrl (Windows, Linux) or Option (macOS)
  • Drag one or more files toward the cursor
  • Drop them on a format in the donut
  • Press Tab or turn the mouse wheel to flip the donut to less common formats and tools

Convert files from your browser

You can drag a picture, a link to a file, or a download out of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari the same way. Filee saves it to your Downloads folder, or keeps only the converted file, and then converts it.

According to the README, links are downloaded without your browser's sign-in.

Set options, crop and batch convert

Each file type has its own toolbar in the donut, where you can set presets for quality, size, DPI, PDF pages and compression, video and audio, and output folder and file names.

The Crop slice opens pictures one by one so you can drag the frame, pick a ratio, and save only that part. Filee can convert many files at once in parallel, and watch folders convert every file that lands in them. Routes with several steps, such as HWP to HWPX to DOCX, are found automatically.

  • Crop: drag the frame, choose a ratio, save only that area
  • Batch: drop many files at once
  • Watch folders: convert files as they arrive

Use the command line

Filee includes a filee command, which comes with the Setup installer or with install.sh. The README links to a command line section for details on its use.

What people use it for

  • Converting photos from JPG or HEIC to PNG or WEBP for the web
  • Turning PDFs, Word and Excel files into other formats without uploading them
  • Converting Korean HWP or HWPX documents
  • Batch converting a folder of images with a watch folder
  • Cropping a set of pictures to the same ratio before saving

Frequently asked questions

Is Filee free?

Yes. The README lists Filee as a free, open-source app under the MIT licence, which allows you to use and modify the code under its terms.

Does Filee upload my files?

The README says nothing is uploaded and that conversion happens on your computer. It also says Filee works offline.

Do I need Microsoft Office to use Filee?

No. The README says conversions work without Office, Hancom Office or LibreOffice. Filee is not an editor, so it does not replace the Office suite itself.

Why does Filee not start on Windows 10?

The README describes a startup problem on Windows 10 PCs that have not been updated for a long time and whose processor supports Hardware-enforced Stack Protection (CET). The recommended fix is to install the latest Windows cumulative update. If that is not possible, the README gives a PowerShell command to turn the protection off for Filee alone.

Why don't drag gestures work on Linux?

The README says drag gestures need X11. On Wayland, use the drop zone and the file manager's right-click menu instead.

What is Filee an alternative to?

The README does not compare Filee to other tools. Projects often mentioned for similar work include Pandoc, ImageMagick, LibreOffice and FFmpeg, which focus on specific tasks or are command-line tools.

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Our verdict

Filee suits people who often convert images or documents and want a drag-and-drop workflow that keeps files on their own computer, including Korean HWP and HWPX users. It is not a document editor, and if you need full Office editing or Linux Wayland drag gestures, pick another tool.

Install options & downloads