How to add a file type to the content index in SharePoint 2010

In this article we will be seeing how to add a file type to the content index in SharePoint 2010.

Using Central Administration:

Go to Central Administration => Application Management => Manage Service Applications => Search Service Application.
In the navigation, go to Crawling => File Types.
Click on "New File Type".
Enter the file extension.
Click on Ok.
A new file type is added successfully.

Using Visual Studio 2010:

Open Visual Studio 2010.
Go to File => New => Project.
Select Console Application from the installed templates.
Enter the Name and click Ok.
Add the following references.

o Microsoft.SharePoint.dll
o Microsoft.Office.Server.dll
o Microsoft.Office.Server.Search.dll
Add the following namespaces.

o using Microsoft.Office.Server.Search.Administration;
o using Microsoft.Office.Server;
o using Microsoft.SharePoint;
Replace the code with the following.

// search service application name
string ssaName = "Search Service Application";
SearchContext context = SearchContext.GetContext(ssaName);
Content ssaContent = new Content(context);
//ExtensionList => Get the list of file name extensions
ssaContent.ExtensionList.Create("ascx");
Build the solution.
Hit F5.
A new file type is added successfully.

Using Powershell: