When we refer to files like MP3s, ZIPs, or PDFs, we're referring to the file type (or file extension) that allows the operating system to place what type of file it is and what software is needed to open it. This is how Windows or macOS can determine that an MP3 file needs to be opened by your music player, or a PDF by a PDF reader.

If the file has the incorrect file type, then Windows volition use the wrong plan to open it. This will probably crusade an mistake and end you from accessing your file—subsequently all, Microsoft Word can't handle MP3s. If y'all need to figure out how to alter file types in Windows x the correct mode, then yous'll need to follow these steps.

Tin can You lot Change File Type in Windows 10?

A file extension acts as a style for Windows to make up one's mind what to do with a file. Information technology tells the Windows operating arrangement that, when you open an MP4 file, it should open VLC (if it's installed on your PC). Or when you open a DOCX file, it should open Microsoft Word. For every file type the operating system knows, it'll friction match the file extension to software that should be able to open up it.

It's possible to change the file blazon for files in Windows 10, but this depends on the file itself. Irresolute file types isn't just nigh changing the extension at the end of a file proper name. If a file isn't created the "right manner" so simply changing the extension won't work.

Changing the extension doesn't change what the file ultimately is. An MP3 isn't a Word document, and then changing the file type from MP3 to DOCX won't suddenly make Word a music thespian. Nonetheless, if the file types are like (for instance, JPG and PNG), so the software may withal be able to open the file.

The best manner to change file extensions is to save or convert it into an alternative format or use conversion services online. If you're confident that the file will still open, however, y'all can quickly rename the extension using Windows File Explorer instead, just this may not work properly.

Displaying File Extensions in Windows File Explorer

Previous versions of Windows showed the file extension for files in Windows File Explorer. In Windows 10, these extensions are hidden by default, preventing yous from quickly changing the file type.

If y'all want to change file extensions using Windows File Explorer, you'll demand to modify the setting to view hidden file extensions.

  1. To do this, open up Windows File Explorer. From the ribbon bar, select View > Options > Change folder and search options.
  1. In the View tab of the Folder Options window, make certain that the Hide extensions for known file types checkbox is disabled, then select the OK button to salve.
  1. With this setting disabled, you should at present be able to view file extensions as part of each file name in Windows File Explorer.

Renaming a File Extension Using Windows File Explorer

With file extensions visible, you can offset changing file types by renaming the file and replacing the old extension with the new extension. For instance, replacing file.txt with file.medico would turn a TXT text file to a Word document in the older Doctor format. Every bit the file contains text, Discussion should be able to sympathise and open it.

However, this only works because software similar Give-and-take is often smart plenty to recognize the contents of certain files, filling in the gaps where information technology tin to open the file. Where changing TXT to DOC would work, this wouldn't work with the newer DOCX format for Word document, as this newer file type is much more than complex.

  1. If you still want to rename a file type this way, open Windows File Explorer, right-click and file and select the Rename selection.
  1. Replace the older file extension with the new file extension, so printing the Enter key or click in the empty white space to save the changes.
  1. Windows will warn y'all that irresolute file extensions in this way can break the file. If you're sure you wish to continue, select OK to confirm.

Once confirmed, the file extension will be changed and the file will be listed as the new file type in the Type column. Depending on the file extensions used, you should at present be able to open up the file. If the process hasn't worked, rename the file and render it back to the previous extension.

Saving a File in Some other File Format

Renaming a file type in Windows File Explorer doesn't modify the file's information and can only piece of work in certain (express) circumstances. If you desire to change a file extension properly, you'll demand to salve or export it to another format.

This works well with file types that are related. Information technology's easy enough to alter a DOCX file to a PDF, or a BIN to ISO, merely it'south more complex to change between very unlike types. For instance, while a PDF tin can be exported as images, yous can't simply rename a PDF file to the PNG format.

If the software you lot're using is designed to allow editing, you lot can often save or export a file to some other format by selecting File > Salve or Save Every bit from the software menu. In the Save As window, you should be able to modify the file type of the saved file below the file name.

You'll need to cheque what file extensions are supported by the software you're using. If yous want to export your file to a format information technology doesn't support, then you'll need to expect for alternative software or consider converting it online using a file conversion website.

Changing File Types Using Online Services

If you don't accept the software to convert a file from 1 file type to another, you can use online services to exercise so. In one case you lot upload the file, the remote server will convert it, allowing you to download the file in the new format.

You should make sure to only do this with files that you're happy to share. Uploading important documents to an unknown server is probably not the wisest idea, especially if you're worried about online privacy. For non-essential files, however, using this method should exist perfectly prophylactic to try.

Given the huge number of different file types out there, it isn't possible to recommend i service or another. If you do want to try a service like this, however, so endeavor a quick Google search.

For instance, searching for convert 10 to y (replacing ten with the original file type and y with the new file blazon yous want to use) should provide you with a list of potential results.

Managing Files in Windows x

Once you know how to change file types in Windows ten, y'all tin can bargain with software conflicts as they occur. You tin also safely convert files from one type to another, from music file conversions on your PC to converting PDFs to Google Docs online. If the file is in a similar format, y'all tin can even try renaming the file extension itself.

If you lot're running out of space for your new files, you may need to await at a disk space analyzer to have a bit of a clean out. At that place are ways to automatically delete files in Windows 10, but if you lot're worried about losing important documents or photos, exist sure to expect through and backup your files yourself.