How to change file extension in Windows 7 and 8, step-by-step instruction

The information stored on our digital devices can be represented in different formats. Before many users periodically the question arises - how to change the file extension? This need is periodically conditioned by the need to translate the image into the desired format, adapting the document downloaded from iTunes and other mobile content stores to the device, reformatting text content into a web page, and other reasons. How can I change the extension so that the information retains all its properties? Let's try to understand.

What is the

extension or file format Before changing the enable function of the extension, the user needs to find out what it is, what this characteristic affects:

First, it limits the range of applications with which you can open the file.
Secondly, it was created to allow the device to determine its type.

Each of the documents has its own format, which is indicated after the title. With this property, the system determines what kind of information it is dealing with - video, audio, etc. The extension characterizes this parameter, helps the system select the best suitable application for opening. Before changing the properties of a file to your needs, you need to remember how to recognize the format, and then think about how to change the existing file extension.

instagram viewer

To do this, right-click and select the "Properties" tab. The extension will be specified in the "File type" line. This property in most cases has the form of a combination of 3-4 letters and numbers. As an illustration:

audio files come with mp3, wma;
video files - mpeg, avi;
graphic images - gif, jpg.

When the system sees this alphabetic combination, it understands which program to open the file and, as a rule, can decrypt it. When changing the format, it is very important to correctly execute the algorithm of actions, taking into account the features of this or that operating system, otherwise you can damage the information by specifying the wrong format, and in the future the system will simply not be able to perform the decryption procedure, etc. To avoid this, we have prepared for you step-by-step instructions on how to change the extension for different OSes and other useful tips.

Some files have no extension and it's the easiest to change their format. The user needs to right-click, select "Rename".Then a point is assigned to the name, after which the letter value of the extension of interest is entered. If the properties after renaming completely correspond to the required format, the information will be opened by the necessary applications.

Operating systems of the Windows family extension by default is hidden from users. The ability to convert a file is provided by one of the sections of the control panel. Entering and making the appropriate changes to the settings, you will be able to give the files you are interested in the desired format. The procedure has some differences for different versions of the operating system. Transformation of information is not such a complicated process, and its implementation is available even to users without advanced skills.

How to change the file name extension in Windows 7

Users of the Windows 7 operating system change the extension relatively easily. To do this, perform the following procedure:

click the "Start" button, open the "Control Panel";
choose the view type "Small Icons";
select "Folder Options";
select the "View" tab and uncheck "Hide extensions for registered file types", save the changed parameters;
after that, by right-clicking on the document, you can rename it, changing not only the name, but also the extension.

Some users may be interested in how the format for the Windows Vista operating system changes. This process is completely identical to the procedure for Windows 7. The interface of the control panel for both OSs has much in common, and changing the type of format for Vista according to the instructions presented will go smoothly. For XP, the format changes in a similar way, but the Folder Properties item is located in the top menu of the Tools group.

How to change the file format in Windows 8

File types	File formats	Extensions	Programs
Text document	. txt	Notepad, WordPad, Microsoft Word
Text	Rich Text Format	. rtf	WordPad, Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word Document	. doc. docx	Microsoft Word
Help	Help file Complited HTML	. chm.hlp	Microsoft HTML Helper
Web page	HTML document	. htm. html	Internet Explorer, Opera, Mozilla FireFox, Google Chrome
Font	Font file	. ttf	Windows Font Viewer
Portable Document Format	. pdf	Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader
eBooks	DjVu Image	. djvu	DjVu Reader, WinDjView
FictionBook 2.0	. fb2	FB Writer, FBTools HaaliReader for Windows Cool Reader
Archives	Archive RAR, ZIP	. rar. zip	WinRAR, WinZIP
Tables	Book Microsoft Excel	. xls. xlsx	Microsoft Excel
Presentation	Microsoft Power Point	. ppt.pptx	Microsoft Power Point	Database	Microsoft Access	. mdb. accdb	CD-ROM	. cda
Audio file Windows	. wav
Audio	Audio format Windows	. wma	Windows Media, Winamp
Audio format MPEG 1Layer 3	. mp3
Video format for Windows	. avi	Windows Media, Light Alloy
Video format MPEG	. mpg.mpeg	Windows Media, Light Alloy
Quick Time Movie	. mdv	Quick Time Movie Player
Video	Video file MPEG-4	. mpg4	QuickTime Player, Windows Media, Light Alloy
Flash-compatible video file	. flv	Media Player Classic, Adobe Flash Player
Flash animation	. swf	Browser with Flash module
Encoded video file DivX	. divx	DivX Player, CyberLink PowerDVD, QuickTime Player with DivX codec
Windows Media Video File	. wmv	WindowsMedia Player, CyberLink PowerDVD, Browser with Windows module, Media Player
DVD Video Object File	. vob	CyberLink PowerDVD, Media Player Classic
Windows Bitmap	. bmp	Paint, ACDSee, InfanView, XnView
Compuserve GIF	. gif	ACDSee, InfanView, XnView, programs like gif animator
Images	File JPEG	. jpg. jpeg	Paint, ACDSee, InfanView, XnView
Tagged Image File Format	. tiff	ACDSee, InfanView, XnView
Portable Network Graphic	. png	Windows Photo Gallery Viewer ACDSee, Photoshop
Virtual disk	Disk image	. iso. mdf. mds. bin. nrg	Alcohol, Daemon Tools, UltraISO, IsoBuster, Nero
Command, executable	Windows Executable File DOS Batch File	. exe. bat	Operating System

For OS Windows 8 the procedure is similar to Windows 7:

go to the "Control Panel";
install "Small Icons";
open folder options;
select the "View" tab, go to "Advanced Options";remove the checkmark next to "Hide extensions for registered file types".

That's it! After performing these actions, when renaming, you can simultaneously convert information to the format you need. This is easy if the sequence of actions is followed, and not only an experienced user will cope with this task, but also a beginner who paid attention to the study of the scheme in detail.

How to rename the extension of several files at once

If you need to rename the extension of several files at once - translate several dozens of files from. txt to. html, change image extensions, etc. - you need to get a special software. For these purposes, the Total Commander program is well suited. It has a convenient interface and is distributed free of charge - you can even use it without registering. Download the program here: ghisler.com/download.htm.

The procedure for changing the format with the help of Total Commander is extremely simple:

select the necessary files using the combination of buttons CTRL + A;
press CTRL + M - the combination that activates the group rename;
specify the required format, names, numbering and other parameters of interest to you;
after that the selected icons are converted to the format you need

Replacing the file extension online

The Internet presents many specialized sites that allow you to change the extension automatically in real time. As an illustration, the site doc.investintech.com/ provides users with an opportunity to convert text files of the. docx format to. doc, read by a large number of text editors. Perform the procedure for changing the format on similar sites can be as follows:

using the "Browse" or "Browse" button selects the desired file;
in the corresponding window indicates its extension;
the operation confirmation button is pressed;
file of the new format is downloaded to the hard disk of the computer

After changing the format using the online converter it is recommended to check whether the procedure was right, trying to open the updated file using the desired application. If it opens without problems, everything went right. Its properties were not damaged, and you were able to change the extension of the document without errors. This indicates that you can use the online converter in the future.

List of existing file extensions: table

In order for you to have no difficulties or errors in reformatting documents, we have compiled a table for you that lists common extensions, their properties, letter values, file assignments and software, through which these documentsopen. Having become acquainted with its contents, you will be able to acquire the necessary applications to open those or other documents.