1.) For XP Help Click Here
2.) For Vista Help Click Here
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XP File Extensions
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If you want to know how to open a file, then you need to know the extension. Windows hides that from you by default. Let's unhide it really quick so you can know what type of file it is you are working on.
- Double Click the My Computer icon on your desktop.
- Choose Tools then Folder Options from the menu.
- Click the view tab.
- Uncheck "hide extensions for known file types"
- Click Apply then Click OK.
That's all there is to it! Know if you look at the file it should be have a . followed by a 2-4 character name. (Example: .doc)
OK. Now that you know what the extension is you need to figure out what program opens the file.
There are 2 ways to do that here at WhatsAFile.com one is to browse the file extension list which is in alphabetical order and the second is to search using the form on the bottom right of every page. If you don't find the file extension please use the red get free help button on the top right of every page to request the file type.
Vista File Extensions
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Showing the file extension in Windows Vista is pretty easy too :) Windows likes to hide the file extensions so that they don't confuse basic users. Showing the known file types also allows users to change the file type and therefore the application associated with the file. Lets go ahead and change it know.
- Click "Start" button, then Settings, and then Control Panel
- Click "Folder Options"
- Click the tab from the choices at the top.
- Uncheck "hide extensions for known file types"
- Click Apply then Click OK.
That's all there is to it! Know if you look at the file it should be have a . followed by a 2-4 character name. (Example: .doc)
OK. Now that you know what the extension is you need to figure out what program opens the file.
There are 2 ways to do that here at WhatsAFile.com one is to browse the file extension list which is in alphabetical order and the second is to search using the form on the bottom right of every page. If you don't find the file extension please use the red get free help button on the top right of every page to request the file type.