A file name extension refers to a specific set of characters that tells Windows Vista the format and content of a file, and which application is used to open the file. Changing file extensions is not recommended by experts, but in some cases can be done with standard system tools.
Necessary
Windows Vista
Instructions
Step 1
Click the "Start" button to bring up the main menu of the system and go to the "Control Panel" item.
Step 2
Expand the Appearance and Personalization link and select Folder Options.
Step 3
Go to the "View" tab of the dialog box that opens and uncheck the "Hide extensions for registered file types" box to display the name extension of the selected file. (Apply the checkbox on the "Hide extensions for registered file types" box and confirm your choice by clicking OK to hide the file name extensions of the selected file.)
Step 4
Click OK to confirm the application of the selected changes.
Step 5
Call the context menu of the file to be edited by right-clicking on its field and go to the "Rename" item.
Step 6
Remove the existing extension and enter the value of the desired extension. This is especially useful when converting a text file with a.txt extension to an HTML file with a.htm extension.
Step 7
Press the Enter function key to confirm the command and wait for a system warning message that the file might not work properly after changing the extension.
Step 8
Click the "Yes" button to confirm the application of the selected changes.
Step 9
Launch the Windows Explorer application and open any program window (for Windows 7).
Step 10
Press the alt="Image" key to open the "File" service menu and go to the "Tools" item (for Windows 7).
Step 11
Select "Folder Options" from the drop-down menu and go to the "View" tab of the dialog box that opens (for Windows 7).
Step 12
Uncheck "Hide extensions for registered file types" (for Windows 7).
Step 13
Use the above algorithm to perform the operation to change the extension of the selected file.
