Techniques to modify file descriptors for content files are described. An apparatus may comprise a processor circuit and a file descriptor application operative on the processor circuit to manage file descriptors for content files, the file descriptor application arranged to generate a file descriptor for a content file in accordance with a universal file descriptor model, the universal file descriptor model to comprise a file descriptor surface with multiple file descriptor tiles to present corresponding content parts from the content file, with at least one of the file descriptor tiles defining a content part class representing homogeneous content parts from heterogeneous content file types. The file descriptor application may also comprise a file descriptor editor component arranged to allow modifications to the file descriptor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.