The FAT file system stores file names as an 8-character name and a three-character extension. The High Performance File System (HPFS) stores the file name as a single string. Regardless of how an OS handles file extensions, the extensions themselves do only indicate a file’s format. They do not guarantee a file’s actual format.
By default, Windows hides file extensions. But you can make File Explorer show them. After enabling this setting, Windows will display the extension after the file name.
A file extension is a sequence of characters after the last dot in the file name. It provides information about the data encoded in the file to the operating system. For example, docx tells the computer to display the Word icon before the file name and that only Microsoft Word can open the file.
Most file name extensions match more than one program installed on your computer. If you encounter an unknown extension, we provide information on the most important file types and what they correspond to. The File Extensions guide is your resource for file type definitions and applications.
A file extension indicates the file’s format – how the data within is organized. Disk files need identifiers so the operating system can find them. These filenames have specific rules. You need to understand what an extension is and what it isn’t. Also, that your computer may not show extensions and what to do about that.
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