4 Ways to Change File Extensions

4 Ways to Change File Extensions
4 Ways to Change File Extensions

Table of contents:

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The file extension tells your computer what type of file it is and what software on your computer to use to open the file. The easiest way to change a file's extension is to save the file as a different file type than in a software program. Changing the file extension by changing the file name will not change the file type, but will cause your computer to misrecognize the file. On Windows and Mac OS X, file extensions are often hidden. This article describes how to save files as other file types in most software programs, and how to show file extensions in Windows and Mac OS X.

Step

Method 1 of 4: Changing File Extensions in Almost Every Software Program

Change a File Extension Step 1
Change a File Extension Step 1

Step 1. Open a file with the default software program

Change a File Extension Step 2
Change a File Extension Step 2

Step 2. Click the File menu, then click Save As

Change a File Extension Step 3
Change a File Extension Step 3

Step 3. Choose a location to save the file

Change a File Extension Step 4
Change a File Extension Step 4

Step 4. Name the file

Change a File Extension Step 5
Change a File Extension Step 5

Step 5. In the Save As dialog box, look for the dropdown menu labeled Save As Type or Format

Change a File Extension Step 6
Change a File Extension Step 6

Step 6. Select a new file type for the file from the dropdown menu

Change a File Extension Step 7
Change a File Extension Step 7

Step 7. Click the Save As button

The original file will still open in the software program.

Change a File Extension Step 8
Change a File Extension Step 8

Step 8. Find the new file where you saved it

Method 2 of 4: Show File Extensions in Windows

Change a File Extension Step 9
Change a File Extension Step 9

Step 1. Open Control Panel

Click the Start menu, then click Control Panel. If you are using Windows 8, click here.

Change a File Extension Step 10
Change a File Extension Step 10

Step 2. In Control Panel, click Appearance and Personalization

In Windows 8, on the ribbon, click Options

Change a File Extension Step 11
Change a File Extension Step 11

Step 3. Click Folder Options

Change a File Extension Step 12
Change a File Extension Step 12

Step 4. In the Folder Options dialog box, click the View tab

Change a File Extension Step 13
Change a File Extension Step 13

Step 5. Make the file extension visible

In the Advanced settings list, scroll down until you see "Hide extensions for known file types". Click the box to uncheck it.

Change a File Extension Step 14
Change a File Extension Step 14

Step 6. Click Apply, then click OK

Change a File Extension Step 15
Change a File Extension Step 15

Step 7. Open the Windows Explorer file browser to see the file extensions

Method 3 of 4: Show File Extensions in Windows 8

Change a File Extension Step 16
Change a File Extension Step 16

Step 1. Open Windows Explorer

Change a File Extension Step 17
Change a File Extension Step 17

Step 2. Click the View tab

Change a File Extension Step 18
Change a File Extension Step 18

Step 3. In the View/hide section, check the "File name extensions" box

Change a File Extension Step 19
Change a File Extension Step 19

Step 4. If you open a new Windows Explorer window, the file extension will be visible

Method 4 of 4: Show File Extensions on Mac OS X

Change a File Extension Step 20
Change a File Extension Step 20

Step 1. Select a Finder window or open a new Finder window

You can also click Desktop to switch to Finder.

Change a File Extension Step 21
Change a File Extension Step 21

Step 2. Click the Finder menu, then click Preferences

Change a File Extension Step 22
Change a File Extension Step 22

Step 3. In the Finder Preferences window, click Advanced

Change a File Extension Step 23
Change a File Extension Step 23

Step 4. Click Show all filename extensions to put a check mark

Change a File Extension Step 24
Change a File Extension Step 24

Step 5. Close the Finder Preferences window

Change a File Extension Step 25
Change a File Extension Step 25

Step 6. Open a new Finder window

The files will show the extension.

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