The Three Letter File Extensions Post 1

There are always way to many times people download a file of the Internet, which they delete straight away because their system does not recognize it, others would call some tech person that they know and ask about it or search the Internet for help. We are really tired of explaining this over and over, so we put up these two little posts that will help you solve your problems.

We want to make it very clear right now, enabling file extensions in Windows can be VERY dangerous to your system!

Every new computer or a fresh install of Windows does not show file extensions by default, it is disabled for one good reason. Once you enable file extensions, you can accidentally rename them too.

If this option is disabled, users can't see and can't overwrite the three letters of almost every filename. If you rename your simple text file into text.txt2, Windows will open and show your text.

If you enable this option and look at the same file now, it would be text.txt2.txt and renaming it to text.txt2 or just text again may render the file to be unusable. Of course, most files, you can rename back and they will work again. You can always disable this option, but if you do leave it on, be careful not to rename or move any system files!

If you want to enable this option, you have to have any Windows folder open on your desktop. In the File menu select Tools, then Folder Options. This will bring up a little settings window, select View tab and in advanced settings, without scrolling down, you should see the lowest one "Hide extensions for known files", check that box and click Ok. Here you can also select to show hidden files, folders and system protected files. You can see them easily, they usually are see-through or have blue names.

You should now be able to see all these different file types that you have in Windows Operating System. This will solve the first problem, now you know that you have some type of unreadable file. You can call your tech friend and ask for info on that file type and why it does not work on your machine or you could read our second post, in which we will explain how to open any file that you may have. Be sure to read it!

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The Three Letter File Extensions Post 2

All files are created by programs or are used by programs that run on your computer. All of them can be opened using compatible programs or tools. Like the way you need a CD player with MP3 support if you want to play your MP3 on it, the same way there specific files that are used in Windows OS and can be opened with specific programs.

Very often someone calls and asks how can you open this or that file, if a person mentions that file's extension, you can tell straight away what application should he or her look for. Then of course, you have to guide them all the way through - until they have their file opened.

You can, of course, leave your restless PC helper for a while and try to do it yourself. Search on-line for a program that reads or creates these file types. Most of the time you just have to ask how to open a zip file or simply type in zip file extension and you should find some info about that file type.

Some programs open more similar files than others. Some Media Players recognize and play more files than others, while there are some which are specifically created to open specific files. Keep in mind that for audio/video playback of different file types you require different codecs not players. Some archive files can only be extracted with a certain software.

When ever you install a new program that reads or creates files that you want to open, it will always ask if you want to associate them with it. You can always change your default associations simply by right-clicking your file, selecting Properties. Then clicking the button Open With.. and browsing to your preferred program's exe file.

We hope this info was helpful to you and now you will be able to open any file that you want. Check our site regularly for the latest free expert tips! Read More......