We’ll explain how to modify the file type (folder options) in the Windows operating system if you have a document that needs to be converted to a particular configuration. You won’t need to download any application software because Windows already has everything you’ll need.
Change the domain name. It’s the filename’s final three letters. You must, however, be able to modify the prefix first before you can alter the type. In Windows Explorer, it’s a straightforward setup.
When you begin, create a backup of your document so you won’t lose anything important. Computer backups are one instance of why you ought to modify a file format.
Occasionally, a program will create a backup of a file, and it will change one of the letters in the file name extension to an abyss. Rather than documentname.exe, it would dot this xe after the document name.
Let’s walk through the process of changing the change file type in windows.
About filenames
A decimal point separates the two elements of a filename in the Windows Operating System: the filename and the suffix (a period). The suffix specifies the item you’re working with—JPG or JPEG for a picture; MP3 or MP4 file for an audio file; DOC or DOCX for Google Word docs; PDF for a PDF Viewer file.
You can alter file types as needed but must do modifying file extensions with caution as Microsoft uses the suffix to determine what program to get used to launching a file. Users must change the filename to the same category.
Why change a file extension?
Why would you want to modify a filename if Microsoft uses it to decide how and where to open that item? Isn’t it just going to annoy Windows and make it unable to access data?
It can annoy windows and make them inaccessible is true in many circumstances. You should generally avoid using addons. However, there are situations when changing those additions is beneficial.
If you’re writing a website in a word processor, you might want to preserve the.txt suffix while changing the text, but convert it to.html once you’re ready to see it on the web.
You may reinforce a file with the wrong domain, such as an a.jpg image mistakenly labeled as an a.bmp document. When you get an “unknown file type” or equivalent notice while trying to open an a.jpg file in your pictures application, consider switching the attachment to.bmp,.png,.tif, or some other popular graphic interchange suffix and see whether your visual editor accepts it.
You also might want to edit a project’s casing. Numerous cams save images with a capitalization ending, like .jpg. Window frames are letter case-insensitive when related to filetypes, so it doesn’t make much difference if a file is named MAGNOLIA.JPG or magnolia.jpg.
But it might seem to individuals, and besides, using Those CAPS is the internet version of yelling at somebody, and a file strewn with.JPG pictures are doing just that.
How to rename the File Type in Windows 10
If the document you’re attempting to launch has the incorrect file type, Windows may accept or execute it using the false program. You may have trouble accessing a record if your schedule doesn’t allow it.
For example, if you have an audio track that ends in.docx (a file ending for Word docs), Windows will be unable to open it.
Don’t panic if you’re having a problem identical to before. We’ll show you how to alter file formats in Windows 10 step by step so that you can access your important documents with ease.
Some simple solutions to change file type in windows
- Display file extensions
- Change the file type by saving it in another file format
- Change the file type by renaming
- Change file types using file conversion services online
1. Display file extensions
Windows has already been obscuring file endings from consumers since the last version of the Windows operating system. Such ostensibly clarifies matters; in reality, it’s a blunder. It’s a beneficial move that you can see configuration files.
- These suffixes identify the file format and the program required to read or modify it.
- The suffixes with identical names aid in the recognition of folders. For instance, if you already have an Excel spreadsheet called the 4th Quarterly Spending Plan and a PowerPoint show similarly titled Fourth Half Spending Plan, the.xls suffix on the excel sheet and the.ppt suffix on the program make it easy to tell which one is which. The small file indicators are helpful, but the icons are not simply recognizable.
- The suffixes can also assist you in identifying documents that are potentially harmful to execute. The A.vbs suffix indicates that you are almost sure to start a Visual Basic program that will conduct instructions on your system, which is another way viruses can infiltrate your system. Likewise, seeing.exe suffixes indicate that you’re working with a program. If you get an anonymous email with the.exe suffix, you should nearly invariably stop opening it to prevent infection.
- You could also use the file formats to determine how and why you didn’t access or alter a document. Everybody should not use the same operating software program. If somebody gives you a file generated with a Webpage on a Mac, there is a strong possibility you will not be able to access it on your Windows PC. If you can’t see the file’s suffix, you probably don’t realize it’s a Page file, making it difficult to find out why you’re experiencing issues. If one encounters the Pages document on either hand, you’ll realize you’re working with a bizarre, extraterrestrial creature. You could then request your colleague save the document in Word or another format before resending it.
- You can tell which version of Windows you’re working with by looking at the filenames. Microsoft Word documents save file types in .docx, Excel papers hold files as.xlsx, and so on in Microsoft 2010. The endings used to be.doc and.xls in older office suites. Because the new systems are inconsistent with the old, you would not be able to access or alter an a.docx item if you only have Office 2003. Seeing the addon will aid in troubleshooting the issue.
With all of those factors in mind, consider why concealing file formats is a smart option:
- Suppressing file formats reduce display clutter.
- That’s it, folks. Windows may believe it reduces uncertainty, but it does the opposite.
It is doubtful that Microsoft will enable all the light and screen file formats in any Microsoft edition by default. That’s irrelevant because you can act appropriately by turning on the extension screen.
- Windows can now open any file display.
- To access the File Options modal dialog, hit Alt+T+O (that’s an alphabet O, not a number).
- Choose “View” from the drop-down menu.
- Clear the mark from the box next to ‘Hide extensions for known file types and then press OK.
2. Change the file type by renaming.
Once you’ve seen your documents’ filename endings, you can start changing the file formats by merely restoring the old file name plugins with new ones. If you substitute words.txt with words.doc, you can convert a simple text file into a Word document that MS Word can read. It must be able to open the changed file because it includes plain text.
This procedure, nevertheless, often does not function with all file formats. Not all programs are as intelligent as MS Word, and not all programs will recognize the changed item.
It is predicted that TXT to DOC will operate, but it is not expected to perform with the DOCX file type. If you insist on changing file formats by modifying their names in Windows 10, follow these steps:
- Ctrl-click on the item if you want to alter the name of the Windows File Manager on your operating system.
- When you control-click on the item, a box with numerous choices appears. Choose “Rename” from the drop-down menu. (In Microsoft 11, you must first choose to show different options, then rename.)
- Using this technique we outlined beforehand to make the plugins visible, you can substitute the previous filename extension with whichever updated one you like.
- Upon replacing the old domain, start typing in the new one and press Enter.
- A caution from Windows may appear, stating that your action may destroy the file and render it useless. Hit the Yes option if you still wish to proceed.
After completing the procedures mentioned, the item should be allocated to the new file extension you chose. On your Windows computer, open Windows File Explorer to view it. If it doesn’t work, you may need to rename it to something else.
3. Change the file type by saving it in another file format.
In some instances, the technique of altering the name of the file extension described above may succeed. As a result, it’s preferable to complete the task correctly so that we can launch the item on our Windows 10 computing device later.
Changing file type in another format can be accomplished by storing or transferring the original file into various forms.
If the file types you’re working with are connected, this approach should work fine. Saving a DOCX file as a PDF file is simple and effective. When it comes to vastly diverse file types, though, it can be not easy. For example, you can export photos from a PDF file, but you can’t just change the file’s name.
You could save an item in an alternative file type by doing the preceding:
- In the application you’re operating, go to Files, Save, or Save As.
- Two key elements will appear on your laptop screen once a dialogue box has appeared: “Filename” and “Save as type.”
- In the correct file area, type the name you want for the document.
- Choose the file type you have to save this item for the Save as type column.
That’s it. You should be fine. If the first two methods fail, attempt the third approach to launch the files on your Windows desktop.
Using online storage and conversion services accessible on the web, you will transform your documents from one file type to another for the next step.
4. Change file types using file conversion services online.
This strategy is for you if you are an internet fanatic who enjoys finding a solution with a single tap. Using various online services, you may transform documents from one file format to another.
Most of these services are free and complete the task in seconds. Furthermore, most online storage format converter services have a user-friendly UI.
Once you post it to an online storage format conversion service, it will transfer the document to a distant location. The paper will be converted by the web server and then transferred electronically, in which case you can obtain and use it in the modified file format.
The document will store on your computer and can be viewed with a program that supports that type of file.
Smallpdf, for example, lets you transform PDF documents into a variety of well-known document file formats and conversely. Nevertheless, it would help to exercise caution while posting confidential papers to such platforms that include sensitive data.
Uploading copyrighted articles to an anonymous server where you have no trail will not be a wise option. As a result, try to employ the procedure outlined earlier, in which you ultimately save the file in a different file format via software that supports both the old and new file types.
You could always rely on such internet platforms for basic everyday tasks, as these services will do the homework in a relatively short period.
Because there are so many services accessible, it is impossible to advise one in particular because it may work well for certain people but not for others.
As a result, you should begin “Googling” your unique scenario, and you will almost certainly come across a business that will meet your demands.
Conclusion
This article covered all of the common ways to alter file types in Windows 11. We believe that this post has assisted you in finding a solution to your problem.
Users can also look around for free file converter tools or web pages. On the web, users can find many options; sift through them to locate a decent fit for yourself.
On the other hand, modifying file endings is a fast way to transform a file from one type to another.
That’s not always possible, though. The data in the document is largely lost, and the only way to restore it is to rename it to the former filename ending.
Nevertheless, the two other approaches listed above – storing in a different file type and using an electronic converter tool – always seem to be options.
Consider that if your confidentiality is an issue, uploading your documents to an anonymous web host may not have been a good choice.
FAQs
How Do I Change The File Type?
On a Windows computer, control-click a document, then modify the configuration file as desired. Additionally, you can control-click on the paper you want to change, then pick Change from the dialog box to begin altering the filename in the operating system.
Can You Change File Types On Windows?
You can rename a file to modify its type. However, you do not need to install a file manager tool to alter the data; you can directly do this on your PC.
How Do I Change The File Type In Windows 10?
Launch the Windows File Manager to accomplish this. Click View > Options > Change folder > from the ribbon bar. You would now be able to view file extensions as part of each file name in Windows File Explorer. Modify the search and sub-folder parameters.
How To Rename The File Type In Windows 11?
– To launch the File Manager, punch Win + E and select View from the menu.
– Choose Show and tick the box beside the Filename suffixes.
– A suffix now will come at the end of a document’s name.
– Pick this document and choose the Modify button to alter its file format.
