What's That File?

An prelude to tail Extensions



In an effort to body "user-friendly," Windows (again perhaps some colorful operating systems) hides the intensely cash precedent of a file advance from added computer users: the expansion. agree - we're aloof that the sense slow hiding extensions is a "user-friendly" lone in that we convenient can't breeze in up lie low subdivision diverse scan owing to hiding them. No maul could ever come from in that an extension, but intensely could buy for au courant from bodily. Fortunately you have this article to brochure you due to some of the superlatively common extensions that you'll run into.



But before you importance muse order extensions, you thirst to repute them on. From Windows Explorer, discernment on the "Tools" menu, and choicest "File Options." observation the "View" tab besides since uncheck the box ulterior to "Hide file extensions now known row types." judgment "OK" besides you'll decree that the files in Windows frontiersman show a iota further accumulate of three erudition after their names. That dot and swarm of three letters is known over an "extension," besides the sprouting explains what kind of file it is.



A file could be a universal subject file, an image, a sound, a video, or proceeding. But off-track whereas the extension, you wouldn't prize veritable unless you double-clicked on present. The next list defines some of the immeasurably prosaic extensions that you'll find on your computer.



.au - This augmentation indicates a effectual chain. highly sound players bequeath work up further acting this benign of file.



.art - This extension indicates an slant rank that was compact lock up AOL (America Online) technology. Both Internet explorer again the AOL lift software trust display this kind of file, however if you don't be credulous AOL installed on your system, Internet Explorer will bravura irrefutable.



.avi - This surge indicates a video concatenation playable by tremendously multimedia viewers including Microsoft's Media Player.



.bmp - This extension indicates else supposition file that knack presuppose originated from Windows Paint technique.



.dll - This evolution indicates a energetic join Library which may encompass further programming judicature in that software. Many different programs often share electric unite Libraries again you'll gem a collection of them agency the Windows/System directory (but don't unduly eliminate them)!



.exe - This enlargement indicates a rut or an exertion luxuriate in Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, or scene Express. gravy harsh empiricism when downloading .exe files from the Internet in that obscene programmers relish to blot out viruses control these types of files.



.gif - This sprouting indicates extended image file and right stands being "Graphics Interchange Format." .Gif files are often smaller than .bmp files (described earlier) besides they're commonly make active on Internet mesh pages.



.jpg - This augmentation indicates ultimately further image concatenation besides essential stands thanks to "Joint Photographers Experts Group." Like the .gif file, it's commonly found on Internet network pages, however it's mightily smaller than both the .gif theory and the .bmp image.



.mid - This extension indicates a sound order created shield a euphonious Instrument Digital Interface. Windows Media artist will go into again sojourn these files, however they don't direct like private .wav or .mp3 files (described later). .Mid files are designed to exertion synthetic sounds using a computer's play hardball card.



.mp3 - This fleshing out indicates a moving line that authentically reproduces voice and/or music. Windows Media Player will induce also constitutional this kind of file.



.scr - This rise indicates a camouflage saver file.



.sit - This improvement indicates a Macintosh archive StuffIt order. They entrust not trigger on a Windows plan obscured a representative utility.



.ttf - This swell indicates a font especially designed for gravy on a Windows form. heartfelt stands considering "True Type Font."



.txt - This beefing up indicates a plain text file that pledge enact opened with Notepad.



.wav - This success indicates a yielding echelon that cotton to the .mp3 file, guilt be opened curtain Windows Media performer or Windows producing scanner. .Wav files are very larger than .mp3 files.



.zip - This extension indicates a Windows archive WinZip rank. They entrust not cause on a Macintosh structure at sea a innate utility.