Computer and Software Support


How to change the extension of a file

 

There is different methods to change the extension of a file. Changing the extension name can be done by different methods. Some methods will work on some files but not others.

The naming convention of a file is as follows

Joseph.JPG

Joseph - is the filename of the file

.JPG - is the extension of the file

 

Change name via Windows Explorer

  1. Open Windows Explorer

  2. Go to the location the file is at

  3. Click on the filename of the file till the filename is highlighted.

  4. Type the name and extension that you want the file to have

NOTE: Some files will not work by this method. On the files that don't work in this method, you would need to open it in a program that will change the file.

 

Change the filename or extension using a program

  1. You will need to open the program designed for the file that you want to open

  2. Example, to change the extension of a file from .gif to .jpg or change the filename of a file, you can use Paint (there are other programs that does the same as Paint)

  3. After you open the program, select Save as and select the extension you want it saved as. After you save it, you will have two copies, one with old extension and one with the new.