However, what happens when a file has a fairly generic or lesser-known icon? What happens when two file types possess very similar icons but provide different functions.

This isn’t a big deal for Excel Workbooks as the file icon is universally known. By default newer versions of Windows hide the extension of known file types.

For example, Finances.xlsx would indicate that the file is formatted in Excel 2007 or later. In File Explorer under View, in the Show/hide group, select the File name extensions check box.īelow is a list of common Windows file name extensions and formats.A file extension is the string of characters that follows the period in a file name. In the search box on the taskbar, type file explorer, and in the search results, select File Explorer. If you don’t see file name extensions when you view files in File Explorer: To learn more about how to change which program will open a file, read Change default programs in Windows 10. You can change a file name extension, but that won't convert the file to another format or change anything else about it except the file name. Most file name extensions are compatible with more than one program that you have installed.

For example, the docx extension tells your computer that Microsoft Word can open the file and to display a Word icon when you view it in File Explorer. In expenses.xlsx, for example, the first part of the file name is expenses and the extension is xlsx.Įxtensions tell your computer which application created or can open the file and which icon to use for the file. Windows file names have two parts separated by a period: first, the file name, and second, a three- or four-character extension that defines the file type.

How to view file types windows 10