How to change the file extension in Windows 7

Every day we have to work with various files that are stored on the computer. Practically each of them has an extension. But not all users pay attention to it and do not understand what it is for. Moreover, not everyone knows how to change the file extension. In fact, it is very important. For example, it can tell the user about the approximate contents of the file (the type of data that it can contain) and even prompt which program it is better to open. Also, the operating system itself identifies the files contained in it, based on the extension specified in them.

What an extension looks like

It is indicated as several characters at the end of the file name. Usually there are three or four of them and they always go after the point. Example: ".mp3" or ".doc". In the first case, the name immediately makes it clear that we are talking about musical content, in the second, as many immediately understand, a text document is presented. And both files are opened in different programs. For the first will suit different players, the second will open in a text editor. On some computers, the extension is not shown, but this does not mean that the files do not. Simply, the display function in the settings is not enabled. The question is how to change the file extension in this case? To do this, you must first look at the appropriate item.

How to change the file extension in Windows 7

If the display of such information is disabled, then you can change it through a small item in the settings. In Windows 7, the path to the desired action passes through the control panel. Next you need to go to the folder options section. The opened window will contain the tab view. She'll need it. This contains an item that allows you to hide file extensions. To cancel this rule, the tick in front of it must be removed, and then save the changes by clicking "ok". Everything, from now on everything will be displayed correctly.

Now you can go directly to the question of how to change file extensions. In this operating system, this process is very simple. But there is a small nuance: initially (according to developers - for the sake of convenience) the function that allows you to change file extensions in Windows 7 is disabled. Because of this, it can be difficult when the user downloads an archive, song or book, and they are accidentally saved in the wrong extension. The previous paragraph describes in detail how to cope with this problem. Now it only remains to select the name of the file and write the correct extension.

Important: if you inadvertently remove the file extension (instead of renaming it), the system will be in difficulty. The computer will not know what program to open it for. As a result, it will not work. You can fix this by selecting the name again and typing in the correct extension, in your opinion. Do not forget to put a point between it and, actually, the name. Also, if you change the name of the files, you should be especially careful and do not delete the superfluous (what goes after the point and itself), otherwise the story will repeat. Not very experienced users after the changes made it is better to set the "hide extensions" settings again. Thus, it is possible to prevent accidental actions.

Files without extension

Now you know that in the task, how to change the file extension on the computer, there is nothing complicated. It remains to tell about the files in which it is missing. Surely everyone has ever faced such a problem as the impossibility of opening them.

The computer assistant usually offers two solutions to the question: look for similar files on the Internet or manually select a program. From the first method can be abandoned immediately in view of its inefficiency. But the second is quite possible for any user. Selecting it, you will see a window with the available programs. From them you need to choose the most suitable one, but if it is not in the list, you should find it yourself. To do this, there is a "review" button.