Basic and Advanced Ways to Do So!

File sorts or file extensions assist Windows determine the apps and software program which are wanted to open them. These are the MP3s of the world, the DOCXs, the JPGs, the TXTs, and lots of of different file codecs that your PC can acknowledge. And, protected to say, in case your laptop can acknowledge a file, it has a file kind. 

But typically, you might need to change the extension of a file, say, to make Windows open it with a unique app. Well, right here is all the pieces you might want to learn about altering a file kind in Windows 11.

How to vary a file kind in Windows 11

There are just a few methods you can change a file kind in Windows 11. You can even change the file kind of a number of information as properly with just a few instructions. Let’s check out all these methods individually so you possibly can simply navigate by them to your precise objective.

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Method #01: Using Rename

The easiest strategy to change a file kind is by renaming the file itself. But earlier than we start, you’ll have to have the file extensions enabled from the ‘View’ folder choices. If you have already got it enabled, skip this bit. For everybody else, right here’s how to do it:

Press Win + E to open File Explorer and click on on View.

Then choose Show, after which click on on File identify extensions such that there’s a examine positioned next to it.

You will now see the extension of a file on the finish of its identify.

To change the file kind, choose this file and click on on the Rename icon.

Now, change the file extension (all the pieces after the final dot) to the one that you really want.

Press Enter. When requested should you’re certain concerning the change, click on Yes.

Note you can’t simply change a file kind to another file kind.  For instance, you possibly can’t change a .doc file to a .wav file. One is a doc file whereas the opposite is a waveform audio file. The two file sorts must be related or be comparable sufficient to ensure that the file to nonetheless open after renaming. 

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Method #02: Using ‘Save As’

Another strategy to change a file kind is by saving it in one other format from an app that allows you to achieve this. Programs from the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and so forth.), Paint, Text Editor, and so forth. allow you to export your information into a unique format. This works as long as the exported format is to the default save format of this system and is obtainable from the listing of codecs within the app. 

For instance, you possibly can simply save a Word doc as PDF, or a textual content file as a BAT file. Let’s take the previous for instance so you know the way that is achieved:

Open the file in its default program (a doc file in MS Word). Then head to the File choice (most applications can have the same choice). 

Select Save as.

Choose a location to avoid wasting your file.

Next to “File name”, enter the identify of the file as you would like. Then next to “Save as type” click on on the drop-down menu.

Select the file kind that you really want.

Click on Save.

You have now modified the extension to your file. This methodology works for all purposes that allow you to save your information in a unique kind. If you don’t see the file extension that you simply need to save your file in, then you might profit from the strategies talked about under.

Method #03: Using Command Prompt 

With the Command Prompt, you possibly can change the extension of a single file in addition to a number of information, multi function go. First up, let’s check out how you are able to do so for a single file.

3.1 For a single file inside a folder

Navigate to the folder that incorporates the file whose extension you need to change. Right-click on it and choose Copy as path.

Now press Start, kind cmd, and choose the Command Prompt software.

Type cd /d after which press Ctrl + V to stick the folder path that was copied earlier. It ought to look one thing like this:

Press Enter. This will change the listing to the folder that incorporates the information. 

This implies that all of the adjustments made henceforth might be made to the information which are instantly inside this folder.

Now kind the next command for the file extension that you simply need to change. Make certain to vary the information and their extensions appropriately to your information. 

rename "file-with-extension-1" "file-with-extension-2"

In our instance under, we’re altering the extension of the file “Image 1.jpg” to “Image 1.png”. So the command will look one thing like this:

Note: When typing a file identify that incorporates an area in it, enclose the total identify of the file inside quotes, as carried out in our instance.

3.2 For a number of information inside a folder (batch)

Now, let’s check out how to vary the file extension of all of the information which are inside a folder.

Open the Command Prompt and alter the listing to the folder that incorporates the information whose extensions you need to change (as proven earlier than). Then, kind the command as given under with the present file extension and the brand new file extension:

rename *.extension1 *.extension2

Again, ensure that to vary the extensions accordingly. Then press Enter. sdf In our instance under, we’re altering all of the JPG information to the PNG format.   

As quickly as you hit Enter, the extensions of all of the information inside this folder might be modified to the brand new extension. 

3.3 For a number of information (and save the unique)

If you need to change the extension of a file however need to keep the unique file intact, right here’s the command that you might want to kind:

xcopy *.extension1 *.extension2

Press Enter. Once once more, the extensions used above are only for demonstrative functions. You ought to exchange these extensions as per your wants.

3.4 For a number of information (whatever the extension)

Finally, if you’d like all information inside that folder to vary to the brand new extension no matter what their authentic extension is, then kind the next command:

ren *.* *.newextension

Press Enter. Make certain to interchange “newextension” with the precise file extension that you really want. In our instance, it’s PNG, so it appears like this:

3.5 For a number of information (together with information in all sub-folders)

You can even use a command line to vary the file kind of all of the information inside a folder, together with these which are within the sub-folders. Here’s how to take action:

Open the Command immediate and alter the listing to the goal folder that incorporates the information (proven earlier than). Then, kind the next command:

for /R %x in (*.ext1) do ren "%x" *.ext2

Make certain to interchange ‘ext1’ with the present file extension and ‘ext2’ with the brand new file extension. In our instance, we’re altering JPG to PNG.

Just a few issues to notice when using instructions to vary file extensions – ensure that to enter the instructions accurately. To be on the safer aspect of issues, you might need to back up the information to a unique folder, you understand, simply in case you make an error or issues don’t pan out as deliberate.

Method #04: Using Online Services

If you’re not capable of view the contents of your file after altering its kind or should you don’t have the app to reserve it as a unique kind, you possibly can at all times resort to free on-line providers that allow you to achieve this. They assist convert one file kind into one other and, relying on the file sorts and the service that you simply’re using, might even provide further choices like compressing the file to make it smaller.

Because there are tons of file sorts on the market and simply as many on-line providers to transform them, it’s not possible to advocate one or the opposite. A fast Google search ought to avail you of some websites to your objective. 

What occurs if you change a file extension?

When you modify a file’s extension, you inform your PC that you simply’re altering the best way the file is learn. However, it doesn’t change the best way that file is formatted. For instance, if a file is within the MPEG (mpg) format and you modify it to PNG or another un format, it received’t immediately turn into a picture and open in Photos Viewer. 

You might modify the file extensions to make Windows open it in one other app. But if the app can’t learn the format through which the file was initially rendered, then it’s going to register an error. This is why typically you might not have the ability to open them after altering the file kind.  

How to set default apps for file sorts in Windows 11

Usually, it isn’t beneficial to vary the file kind through which it was formatted as this makes it problematic for some apps to parse the file. If you’re altering a file extension solely since you need to open it in a unique app, you possibly can as an alternative simply change the default app for that file kind.

To change default apps for a file kind, observe the steps under:

Press Win + I to open the Settings app. Then click on on the search bar on the left. kind “default app”, and choose Choose a default app for every file kind.

Here, one can find an extended listing of file sorts to set default apps for. Click on the search bar above and seek for a file kind.

Click on the search outcome.

Select the app that you simply need to set as default for this file kind. 

If you don’t discover an app right here, click on on “More apps” to disclose further apps choices. 

We hope you had been capable of change one file kind into one other with the strategies talked about on this information. Doing so turns out to be useful if you need Windows to make use of the proper app to open a file. Just ensure that to activate file extension visibility and enter the instructions as given. If potential, back up your information too.