Learn to distinguish files by their extension

After distinguishing them, Windows will offer us a list of programs with "those" that you can use that file or view it.

There are thousands of extensions to distinguish files

If we have a file called "document.TXT" the name of this file is document and its extension is TXT. This extension is used for files that contain texts, so our operating system, Windows, will give us the options to use this file and if you want to see it, it will be opened with the Notepad or NotePad.

But what if we only see "document" without the extension? This occurs when Windows hides the extensions. The bad thing is that there are files that come with malware or viruses and not knowing the extension we will not know.

But if you want Windows to show the extensions you should go to:

Windows Explorer. In the Tools Menu we will access Folder Options . When the new "View" tab opens, we will unmark the option that says: "Hide file extensions for known file types"

As we are here, we will take advantage of going to the next tab

"File Types". Here is the list of the extensions recognized by Windows and the program associated with them.

Now we can change the priorities and choose with which program we want the file to run and if we go to Advanced Options we can change the icon and the actions it performs.

In general, files are divided into two groups: data files and executables. The former only store information while the latter operate on their own.

Most common file extensions

Extension	Corresponds to	Extension	Corresponds to
.386	Virtual device driver	.here	Microsoft Agent Character
.acg	Microsoft Agent preview	.acs	Microsoft Agent Character
.acw	Accessibility wizard settings	.ani	Animated cursor
.bat	MS-DOS batch file	.bfc	Briefcase
.bkf	Windows Backup	.blg	System monitor
.cat	Security Catalog	.cer	Security certificate
.cfg	Configurations	.chk	Fragments of recovered files
.chm	Compiled HTML Help	.clp	Clipboard Clip
.cmd	Windows NT script	.cnf	Marking speed
.com	MS-DOS application	.cpl	Control Panel Extension
.crl	Certificate revocation list	.crt	Security certificate
.cur	Cursor	.dat	Database
.db	Database	.der	Security certificate
.dll	Library, application extension	.drv	Device driver
.ds	TWAIN Data Source file	.dsn	Data source name
.dun	Dial-up network	.exe	Application
.fnd	Saved Search	.fng	Source group
.folder	Binder	.fon	Source
.grp	Microsoft Program Group	.hlp	Help
.ht	HyperTerminal	.inf	Installation information
.ini	Configuration options	.ins	Internet communications settings
.isp	Internet communications settings	.job	Task object
.lnk	Direct access	.msc	Microsoft Common Console Document
.M: Yes	Windows Installer package	.msp	Windows Installer review
.msstyles	Windows visual style	.nfo	MSInfo
.ocx	ActiveX control	.otf	OpenType font
.p7c	Digital identifier	.pfm	Type 1 font
.pif	Direct access to MS-DOS program	.pko	Public key security object
.pma	System Monitor File	.pmc	System Monitor File
.pml	System Monitor File	.pmr	System Monitor File
.pmw	System Monitor File	.pnf	Precompiled installation information
.psw	Password Backup	.qds	Query Directory
.rdp	Connection to remote desktop	.reg	Log entries
.scf	Windows Explorer Command	.scr	Screen saver
.sct	Windows Script Component	.shb	Direct document access
.shi	Digital certificate	.shs	Cutout
.sys	System file	.theme	Windows theme
.tmp	Temporary file	.ttc	True Type Typography
.ttf	TrueType Typography	.udl	Links to data
.vxd	Virtual device driver	.wam	Address book
.wmdb	Multimedia library	.wme	Windows Media Encoder Session
.wsc	Windows Script Component	.wsf	Windows Script File
.wsh	Windows Script Host Settings File	.zap	Software installation configuration
.bat	MSDOS application (batch file)	.bmp	Bitmap image

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Video extensions

Video files are typically played on movies or on web pages that contain videos. The most common are:

Audio extensions

Audio files are those that reproduce sound when executed. The most common are:

Extension	Corresponds to
.avi	Audio and video interleaved
.mpeg	Film Expert Group

Extension	Corresponds to
.mp3	Compressed digital audio format
.mid or.midi	Musical Instruments Digital Interface
.wav	Digital audio format, usually uncompressed
.wma	Microsoft proprietary compressed digital audio format
.cda	Digital format audio CD
.ogg	Multimedia container format
.ogm	Multimedia container format
.aac	Improved sound format
.ac3	HD sound format
.flac	Compressed audio format without quality loss
.mp4	Audio and video format without quality loss
.aym	High quality compressed digital audio format, property of Ayona

Image extensions

Extension	Corresponds to
.bmp	Bitmap
.gif	Moving picture
.jpg	Joint Photographic Experts Group
.png	Portable Network Graphics
.psd	Photoshop
.ai	Adobe illustrator
.crd	Corel Draw
.dwg	AutoCAD
.svg	Scalable Vector Graphics