Each file type has its own format and application that recognizes this format. There are various cases in which the file extension is not displayed. You need to choose the course of action that suits your specific situation.
Instructions
Step 1
If the extension is not displayed due to user-defined (or default) settings, there are several ways to determine the file type. The simplest one: move the mouse cursor over the file icon and wait a couple of seconds without pressing any buttons. A small window will pop up with brief information. Among other things, such a tooltip will indicate the file type.
Step 2
Refer to file properties if information is missing. To do this, move the cursor to the icon of the file you need and right-click on it. Select "Properties" from the drop-down menu. A new dialog box will open, go to the "General" tab and read the information you need in the "File type" field. If you accidentally opened the properties not of the file itself, but of the shortcut, the “Shortcut” type will be indicated on the “General” tab. In this case, go to the "Label" tab and review the data in the "Object type" field.
Step 3
Also, you can always customize the display of file extensions. To do this, open the "Control Panel" via the Windows key or the "Start" button. Select the Folder Options icon in the Appearance and Themes category. Alternatively, you can open any folder on your computer and select Folder Options from the Tools menu. When a new dialog box opens, make the "View" tab active.
Step 4
Scroll down in the Advanced Options group and find the Hide Extensions for Registered File Types item. Uncheck this field and apply the new settings. Close the dialog with the OK button or the [x] icon. The file extensions will be displayed.
Step 5
In some cases, even with appropriate settings, the file extension may not be present, and in the properties window, the File type field will contain the definition “File”. You can try to open such a file in different applications, it is likely that one of them will work.
Step 6
Alternatively, right-click on the file and choose Open With. Select a simple notepad from the list of suggested programs. Regardless of the encoding, the beginning of the text may contain information about the file extension or the application in which it was created.
