Working with files. How to change the file extension. Batch renaming files in Windows How to change the extensions of several files at once

To quickly find files and quickly navigate through them, it is not enough to put everything in the correct folders. It is equally important to give files names that are easy to read and meaningful. Fiddling with each of them separately is counterproductive. Therefore, there are methods for group renaming.

To work with a group of files, it is better to copy them to a separate folder. This will greatly simplify the process.

Using standard Windows tools

Changing file names

Let's consider the simplest case: we have the nth number of images with meaningless names.

Let's bring the names of these files to a visual form Picture (n), Where Picture will be the name, and n- serial number. This can be easily done directly in Explorer.

Select all the pictures that we want to rename. To do this quickly, use the key combination Ctrl + A. Then simply press F2 or right-click on the first file and select “Rename”. Enter the word as the name for the selected image Picture and press Enter.

Windows will automatically assign the same name to all subsequent files and assign all serial numbers.

If necessary, you can cancel mass renaming with the Ctrl + Z key combination.

If you want to rename a group of folders in Explorer, you can do it in the same way.

Changing file extensions

Let's say we have several text documents that, after double-clicking, open in Notepad. But we need them to be opened by the browser by default. To do this, you will have to change their extension from .txt to .html. These types of operations can be quickly performed using the command line.

Press the Windows + R keys and enter in the field that appears cmd and click OK - we see the command line window. Now we insert into it the path to the folder in which our files are located, immediately after the command CD: cd C:\Users\Max Volotsky\Desktop\Docs , and press Enter. Then we use a special command that will change their extensions: rename *.txt *.html , and press Enter again.

The original extension is indicated first in the command, the new one is indicated second. After entering the command, the system instantly makes changes.

To return everything as it was, you need to use the rename command again, swapping the extensions.

Using third party utilities

No built-in tools can match the functionality of special programs designed specifically for batch renaming. You can find many such free utilities on the Internet; just enter bulk file rename in the search.

We will look at renaming using the example of the Bulk Rename Utility program. With its help it is very convenient to change the names of folders and files, as well as the extensions of the latter.

When you first launch it, it may seem that the utility’s interface came straight from hell, and perhaps there is some truth in this. But the user does not need to navigate through numerous tabs and menus: he gets access to all functions from one window.

So, let's say we have a group of audio files that we want to make look pleasing to the eye. In this case, the numbers and the lack of artist name are annoying.

We launch the application and use the built-in file manager to go to the folder we need. Next, use the already familiar Ctrl + A key combination to select all files. We need to remove the first 3 characters at the beginning of each file name and add the artist name at the very beginning. To do this, specify the necessary parameters in the Remove and Add panels, and then click Rename.

Now we’ll make sure that all extensions consist of lowercase characters: in the Extension panel, select the Lower option and click Rename.

As you can see, other panels are available in the program window. For example, Numbering allows you to number documents in different ways, and with Case you can change the case of characters in file names. Thanks to the New Name column in the built-in explorer, which shows the result of a rename before it's applied, you'll easily understand the rest of the Bulk Rename Utility.

The last operation with files and folders performed in the program can be easily undone using the Ctrl + Z key combination.

The information stored on our digital devices can be in different formats. Many users periodically face the question - how to change the file extension? This need is periodically caused by the need to translate an image into the required format, adapt a document downloaded from iTunes and other mobile content stores to the characteristics of the device, reformat text content into a web page, and other reasons. How can you change the extension so that the information retains all its properties? Let's try to figure it out.

What is a file extension or format

Before changing the extension replacement function, the user needs to find out what it is and what this characteristic affects:

• First, it limits the range of applications that can open the file.
• Secondly, it was created so that the device would be able to determine its type.

Each document has its own format, which is indicated after the name. Using this property, the system determines what type of information it is dealing with - video, audio, etc. The extension characterizes this parameter and helps the system select the optimal application to open. Before changing the properties of a file to suit your needs, you need to remember how to find out the format, and only then think about how to change the existing file extension.

To do this, right-click and select the “Properties” tab. The extension will be indicated in the “File type” line. This property in most cases takes the form of a combination of 3-4 letters and numbers. By way of illustration:

• audio files come with the extension mp3, wma;
• video files – mpeg, avi;
• graphic images - gif, jpg.

When the system sees this letter combination, it understands which program to open the document with and, as a rule, can decrypt it. When changing the format, it is very important to correctly carry out the algorithm of actions, taking into account the features of a particular operating system, otherwise you can damage the information by setting the wrong format, and in the future the system simply will not be able to perform the decryption procedure, etc. To prevent this from happening, we have prepared step-by-step instructions for you on how to change the extension for different OSes and other useful tips.

Some files do not have any extension and it is easiest to change their format. The user needs to right-click and select “Rename”. Then a dot is added to the name, followed by the letter value of the extension of interest. If the properties after renaming fully comply with the required format, the information will be opened by the necessary applications.

On operating systems of the Windows family, the extension is hidden from users by default. The ability to convert a file is provided in one of the sections of the control panel. By going in and making the appropriate changes to the settings, you will be able to give the files you are interested in the desired format. The procedure has some differences for different versions of the operating system. Converting information is not such a complicated process, and its implementation is accessible even to users without advanced skills.

On Windows 7

For users of the Windows 7 operating system, changing the extension is relatively easy. To do this you need to perform the following procedure:

Click the “Start” button, open “Control Panel”;

select the “Small icons” view type;

select “Folder Options”;

select the “View” tab and uncheck the “Hide extensions for registered file types” option, save the changed settings;

after that, by right-clicking on the document, you can rename it, changing not only the name, but also the extension.

Some users may be interested in how the format is changing for the Windows Vista operating system. This process is completely identical to the procedure for Windows 7. The control panel interface of both operating systems has much in common, and changing the format type for Vista according to the instructions provided will be easy. For XP OS, the format changes in a similar way, but the Folder Options item is located in the top menu of the Tools group window.



On Windows 8

For Windows 8 OS the procedure is similar to Windows 7:

• go to the “Control Panel”;

  set “Small icons”;

  open folder options;

  select the “View” tab, go to “Advanced options”; Uncheck the box next to “Hide extensions for known file types.”

That's all! After completing these steps when renaming, you can simultaneously convert the information into the format you need. This is easy to do if the sequence of actions is followed, and this task can be completed not only by an experienced user, but also by a beginner who has paid attention to studying the circuit in detail.

How to rename the extension of several files at once

If there is a need to rename the extension of several files at the same time - convert several dozen files from .txt to .html, change image extensions, etc. - you should acquire special software. The Total Commander program is well suited for these purposes. It has a user-friendly interface and is distributed free of charge - you can use it without even registering. You can download the program here: ghisler.com/download.htm.

The procedure for changing the format using Total Commander is extremely simple:

select the required documents using the CTRL+A button combination;

press CTRL+M – a combination that activates group renaming;

indicate the required format, names, numbering and other parameters that interest you;

After this, the selected icons are converted to the format you need

Online

The Internet presents many specialized sites that allow you to change the extension automatically in real time. As an illustration, the site doc.investintech.com/ provides users with the opportunity to convert text files of the .docx format into .doc, readable by a large number of text editors. You can follow the procedure for changing the format on such sites as follows:

using the “Browse” or “Browse” button, select the desired file;

its extension is indicated in the corresponding window;

the button to confirm the operation is pressed;

the new format file is downloaded to the computer’s hard drive

After changing the format using an online converter, it is recommended to check whether the procedure was completed correctly by trying to open the updated document using the desired application. If it opens without problems, everything went correctly. Its properties were not damaged, and you were able to change the document extension without errors. This means that you can continue to use the online converter in the future.

List of existing file extensions: table

To ensure that you do not have any difficulties or errors in reformatting documents, we have compiled a table for you that lists common extensions, their properties, letter values, file assignments and the software with which these documents are opened. After familiarizing yourself with its contents, you can acquire the necessary applications for opening certain documents.

File types	File formats	Extensions	Programs
	Text Document	.txt	Notepad, WordPad, Microsoft Word
Text	Rich Text Format	.rtf	WordPad, Microsoft Word
	Microsoft Word Document	.doc .docx	Microsoft Word
Help	Complited HTML help file	.chm .hlp	Microsoft HTML Helper
Web page	HTML document	.htm.html	Internet Explorer, Opera, Mozilla FireFox, Google Chrome
Font	Font file	.ttf	Windows Font Viewer
	Portable Document Format	.pdf	Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader
E-books	DjVu Image	.djvu	DjVu Reader, WinDjView
	FictionBook 2.0	.fb2	FB Writer, FBTools HaaliReader for Windows Cool Reader
Archives	Archive RAR, ZIP	.rar .zip	WinRAR, WinZIP
Tables	Microsoft Excel workbook	.xls .xlsx	Microsoft Excel
Presentation	Microsoft Power Point	.ppt .pptx	Microsoft Power Point
Database	Microsoft Access	.mdb .accdb	Microsoft Access
	CD Audio	.cda
	Windows sound file	.wav
Audio	Windows Audio Format	.wma	Windows Media, Winamp
	Audio format MPEG 1 Layer 3	.mp3
	Video format for Windows	.avi	Windows Media, Light Alloy
	MPEG video format	.mpg .mpeg	Windows Media, Light Alloy
	Quick Time Movie	.mdv	Quick Time Movie Player
Video	MPEG-4 video file	.mpg4	QuickTime Player, Windows Media, Light Alloy
	Flash compatible video file	.flv	Media Player Classic, Adobe Flash Player
	Flash animation	.swf	Browser with Flash module
	DivX encoded video file	.divx	DivX Player, CyberLink PowerDVD, QuickTime Player with DivX codec
	Windows Media Video File	.wmv	Windows Media Player, CyberLink PowerDVD, Browser with Windows plug-in, Media Player
	DVD Video Object File	.vob	CyberLink PowerDVD, Media Player Classic
	Windows Bitmap	.bmp
	Compuserve GIF	.gif	ACDSee, InfanView, XnView, programs like gif animator
Images	JPEG file	.jpg .jpeg	Paint, ACDSee, InfanView, XnView
	Tagged Image File Format	.tiff	ACDSee, InfanView, XnView
	Portable Network Graphic	.png	Windows Photo Gallery Viewer ACDSee, Photoshop
Virtual disk	Disk image	.iso .mdf .mds .bin .nrg	Alcohol, Daemon Tools, UltraISO, IsoBuster, Nero
Command, executable	Windows Executable File DOS Batch File	.exe .bat	operating system

To quickly find files and quickly navigate through them, it is not enough to put everything in the correct folders. It is equally important to give files names that are easy to read and meaningful. Fiddling with each of them separately is counterproductive. Therefore, there are methods for group renaming.

To work with a group of files, it is better to copy them to a separate folder. This will greatly simplify the process.

Using standard Windows tools

Changing file names

Let's consider the simplest case: we have the nth number of images with meaningless names.

Let's bring the names of these files to a visual form Picture (n), Where Picture will be the name, and n- serial number. This can be easily done directly in Explorer.

Select all the pictures that we want to rename. To do this quickly, use the key combination Ctrl + A. Then simply press F2 or right-click on the first file and select “Rename”. Enter the word as the name for the selected image Picture and press Enter.

Windows will automatically assign the same name to all subsequent files and assign all serial numbers.

If necessary, you can cancel mass renaming with the Ctrl + Z key combination.

If you want to rename a group of folders in Explorer, you can do it in the same way.

Changing file extensions

Let's say we have several text documents that, after double-clicking, open in Notepad. But we need them to be opened by the browser by default. To do this, you will have to change their extension from .txt to .html. These types of operations can be quickly performed using the command line.

Press the Windows + R keys and enter in the field that appears cmd and click OK - we see the command line window. Now we insert into it the path to the folder in which our files are located, immediately after the command CD: cd C:\Users\Max Volotsky\Desktop\Docs , and press Enter. Then we use a special command that will change their extensions: rename *.txt *.html , and press Enter again.

The original extension is indicated first in the command, the new one is indicated second. After entering the command, the system instantly makes changes.

To return everything as it was, you need to use the rename command again, swapping the extensions.

Using third party utilities

No built-in tools can match the functionality of special programs designed specifically for batch renaming. You can find many such free utilities on the Internet; just enter bulk file rename in the search.

We will look at renaming using the example of the Bulk Rename Utility program. With its help it is very convenient to change the names of folders and files, as well as the extensions of the latter.

When you first launch it, it may seem that the utility’s interface came straight from hell, and perhaps there is some truth in this. But the user does not need to navigate through numerous tabs and menus: he gets access to all functions from one window.

So, let's say we have a group of audio files that we want to make look pleasing to the eye. In this case, the numbers and the lack of artist name are annoying.

We launch the application and use the built-in file manager to go to the folder we need. Next, use the already familiar Ctrl + A key combination to select all files. We need to remove the first 3 characters at the beginning of each file name and add the artist name at the very beginning. To do this, specify the necessary parameters in the Remove and Add panels, and then click Rename.

Now we’ll make sure that all extensions consist of lowercase characters: in the Extension panel, select the Lower option and click Rename.

As you can see, other panels are available in the program window. For example, Numbering allows you to number documents in different ways, and with Case you can change the case of characters in file names. Thanks to the New Name column in the built-in explorer, which shows the result of a rename before it's applied, you'll easily understand the rest of the Bulk Rename Utility.

The last operation with files and folders performed in the program can be easily undone using the Ctrl + Z key combination.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to change the extension of several files at once. For example, let's change the extensions .txt on .html .

This method renames all files in the folder. Clamps shift and right-click on the empty folder field.

We select the “Open command window” item, after which a command line window appears. Next we enter:

ren *.txt *.html

And press Enter. Everything is ready, the files are renamed.

This method is very convenient, for example, when all photos from a camera automatically come with the extension .JPG, and we need .jpg .

How to change the extension of one file

It should be mentioned right away that the file extension plays a critical role in determining how and with what this file will be processed or opened. Those. if you take a picture with the extension .jpg and change to video extension .avi, That This file will not open on startup.. You can only change extensions that you are sure of. For example, to translate from .wma V .mp3, or from .mpeg V .avi you need special programs called converters.

In this article we will look at a simple way to change the extension by renaming it. All files have extensions that are indicated after the last dot in the file name.

For example: Text.txt

To rename, you just need to right-click on the file, select “rename” and change the entry after the period.

For example: Text.html

If you don't see any extensions for your files, then they are simply hidden by the system. To see the extensions you need to go to:

On Windows XP:

Start → Control Panel → Folder Options → View tab →

On Windows 7, 8, 10:

Start → Control Panel → Folder Options → View tab →
→ uncheck “Hide extensions for registered file types” → OK

Also in Windows 7, 8, 10, you can go to the “View” menu in the way shown in the picture.

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This concept implies a group of characters (from 2 to 4), which are indicated through a dot in the file name after its name. This could be docx - a Microsoft Word format, jpg - one of many image formats or js - intended for storing JavaScript language code, and others. The function of the extension is to the computer understood, which program should open the required file.

How to enable extension visibility

When working with a large variety of data, type information can be useful. In case their display disabled, the option is possible reconfigure via "Control Panel":

The new settings will take effect immediately; no reboot is required.

Changing the extension

Once the extension appears in the name, you can change it manually. It's quite easy to do this:

Now for reading this file there will be answer program, designed to work with the format that was specified as an extension. If it suddenly turns out that the file stopped opening, this does not mean that it has deteriorated, but that the selected program does not know how to work with it. After all, changing the extension does not mean changing the type - this requires conversion. If you return everything as it was, the data can again be used as before.

Using the console

This interface makes it possible to change all files with a specific extension in the selected directory at once. For this necessary:

When you run the command in the above illustration, all images will change their extension from .jpg to .png. Changes affect only the folder from which the configuration was made.

Saving with a different extension

It is also possible to override the extension using some programs. For example, docx can be replaced with txt or even pdf, opening it in its native program - Microsoft Word.

In addition, such an approach also involves structural changes for further correct operation.

Conversion

Extension changes This is not always enough, because the internal structure of one file is different from another. For example, psd image it is forbidden reformat to jpg because it supports layers, which jpg does not. There are a number of others reasons, to which the standard Windows Photos solution will report that it “Cannot open the file.” Here you will need specialized software such as Photoshop. It contains conversion algorithms that allow you to change the file type to work in different applications, and the extension will be rewritten automatically.

Depending on the selected file, you may need various software solutions for their conversion. It is worth noting separately that there are now many online converters on the Internet, so it is not always necessary to download heavy programs specifically for these needs.