How to Rename File Extensions

Author: Celeste Stewart, Filetonic Tech Jock

Why Rename File Extensions? Its not unusual to be instructed to rename a files extension from time to time. For example, if you receive a PowerPoint slideshow (PPS file) and want to be able to edit it, changing the file extension from PPS to PPT will change how the file is handled by Microsoft PowerPoint. As a PPS file, the file will launch as a slideshow when clicked; as a PPT file, the file will open as an editable PowerPoint file in PowerPoint when clicked. Sometimes, a computer user will be instructed to change a file extension from one extension to another as a way to distinguish two similarly named files when updating software or troubleshooting a problem. For example, if you suspect a file is corrupt, you might change the suspect file to filename.bad before copying a replacement file into the directory. How to View the File Extension Before you can rename a file extension, you must first be able to see it. Depending on how your computer is set up, you may or may not see an extension after a file name. If you do not see a suffix attached to the file name, then youll need to change a setting in your computers Folder Options section. Folder Options is located in the Windows Control Panel and is also accessible from Windows Explorer. The easiest way to access Folder Options is to go to Control Panel > Folder Options. If you have Windows Vista or Windows 7, you can also access Folder Options by going to Start and entering Folder Options into the Search bar. If you currently have Windows Explorer open, click on the Organize menu followed by Folder and Search Options. Once Folder Options has been launched, click the View tab. Now, scroll through the list until you find Hide extensions for known file types and make sure that the checkmark is removed from the box. How to Rename File Extensions Now that you can see extensions for your computers files, you can rename them when instructed to do so. Do this by clicking the Start button and choosing Explore. This launches Windows Explorer where youll then locate the file in question. Right-click the file and choose Rename from the menu that pops up and then change the extension. Dont just randomly rename file extensions as doing so could cause the file to become unusable. When renaming an extension, jot down the original file name and extension as well as the files path so that you can change it back should you need to. For example, if you later discover that filename.bad wasnt bad after all and want to change it back to its original form, youll need to know what the original file extension was as well as where the file is located. Having notes allows you to quickly find the file and change it back to its original file extension.About the Author:

Celeste Stewart writes for Filetonic.com where you'll find a huge File Extension Library and loads of free computer advice. You can even write in and "Ask a Tech Jock" for specific answers to your computer questions.

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