What is this file?

An introduction to file extensions

In an effort to be "friendly", Windows (and perhaps some other operating systems) hides the most important part of a file name for new computer users: the extension. Okay - we are taking us on reasoning behind Hide extensions is a "friendly", because we only can ' t get to any other reason to hide them. No. damage could never come see an extension, objective could learn from it. Fortunately you have much this article to guide you through some of the most common extensions run in.

Purpose before they can see the file extensions you need to activate them. In Windows Explorer, click the "Tools" menu and select "File options". Click the "View" tab, and then clear the check box next to "Hide extensions for known file types". Click "OK" and you will notice that files in Windows Explorer display a group of three letters and point after their names. Point three letters group is known as an "extension" and the extension explains what kind of file it is.

A file could be a text file, an image, sound, video, or program. Purpose without seeing the extension, you wouldn't ' t know unless made double click on the following list defines some of the most common extensions on your computer.

. au - this extension indicates a sound file. Most players will load and play this type of sound file.

.Art - this extension indicates a file that was compressed with AOL (America Online) technology image. Internet Explorer and AOL service software can show such files, however if you don ' t have installed on your system from AOL, Internet Explorer will display.

This extension .avi - indicates that a file controllable video by most media viewers including Microsoft Media Player s.

This extension .bmp - indicates that another image that could have originated from Windows Paint program file.

This extension .dll - indicates that a dynamic link that can contain additional programming for software code library. Many different programs often shared dynamic-link libraries and you will find a lot of them in the Windows System directory / (objective don ' t ever delete EM)!

This extension .exe - indicates that a program or an application such as Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer or Outlook Express. Use extreme security when downloading .exe files from the Internet, since malicious as hide viruses in these file types developers.

.gif - this extension indicates another image file and that defends "Graphics Interchange Format." gif files are often smaller than the .bmp files (described above) and are commonly found on Internet web pages.

This extension indicates another image .jpg - file, and stands for "Joint group of experts photographers." The GIF is commonly found on websites on the Internet, however, is much smaller than the image .gif image s both the. bmp.

This extension .mid - indicates that a file created with a Musical Instrument Digital Interface sound. Windows Media Player will open and run these files, however, they don ' t sound like normal .wav or. mp3 files (described below). .Mid files are designed for synthetic sounds using a computer sound card s product.

. MP3 - this extension indicates a sound which is authentically reproduced voice or music file. Windows Media Player will open and run such files.

This extension .SCR - indicates that a file screen saver.

This .sit - extension indicates that a Macintosh StuffIt file. It will not open on a Windows system without a special utility.

This extension indicates a .ttf - specially designed for use in a Windows System. Means "True Type Font."

This extension .txt - indicates that a file in plain text format that can be opened with Notepad.

.wav - this extension indicates a sound they like file the. MP3 file can be opened with the Windows Media or Windows sound recorder player. .Wav files are much larger that. mp3 files.

This extension .zip - indicates that a file of Windows WinZip. It will not open on a Macintosh system without a special utility.