Every file in Windows has a file extension that tells us what type of file it is. Changing a file's extension changes the way a program proccesses the file. Some common examples of file extensions are: .pdf, .txt, .docx, .pptx, .jpg, etc,. Note that you may want to change a file extension to make the file accessible to someone who does not have the particular program you used to create the file. However, you MUST use an option like "Save As" to change the file extension, and not simply just type in a new file extension (which does not convert the file, but rather only changes the extension).

1. Navigate to an Explorer/Folder screen (you can also click on the Windows Start button and go to "My Documents or My Computer")
   
   
   
   
2. You will be brought to this window. At the top click on "Tools" and then click "Folder Options"
   
   
   
   
3. A small window will pop up. Click on the"View" tab
   
   
   
   
4.  On the view tab, scroll down to "Hide extensions for known file types." You will need to uncheck the box to the left of this then click "Apply" then "OK"
   
   

You are finished! You can now view file extensions and edit them.

Here is an example of what a file looks like now, showing its extension. Remember to use the "Save As" option in the original program to convert from one format (file extension) to another. 

(keywords: file, extension, windows)

http://go.augsburg.edu/viewfileext

Last Modified: 2015/03/18