When we refer to files similar 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 past your music thespian, or a PDF past a PDF reader.

If the file has the incorrect file type, and so Windows will use the wrong program to open it. This will probably cause an mistake and stop you from accessing your file—after all, Microsoft Word can't handle MP3s. If you need to effigy out how to change file types in Windows ten the right way, then you'll need to follow these steps.

Can You Change File Type in Windows 10?

A file extension acts as a mode for Windows to determine what to do with a file. It tells the Windows operating organisation that, when you open up an MP4 file, it should open VLC (if it's installed on your PC). Or when you open a DOCX file, it should open up Microsoft Discussion. For every file type the operating arrangement knows, information technology'll match the file extension to software that should be able to open it.

Information technology'south possible to change the file type for files in Windows 10, but this depends on the file itself. Changing file types isn't simply about changing the extension at the end of a file name. If a file isn't created the "right way" then simply changing the extension won't piece of work.

Changing the extension doesn't change what the file ultimately is. An MP3 isn't a Word document, so irresolute the file type from MP3 to DOCX won't suddenly make Word a music player. Even so, if the file types are like (for case, JPG and PNG), then the software may still exist able to open the file.

The best way 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, yet, you lot can speedily rename the extension using Windows File Explorer instead, but this may non 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 x, these extensions are hidden by default, preventing y'all from chop-chop changing the file type.

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

  1. To do this, open Windows File Explorer. From the ribbon bar, select View > Options > Alter 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 save.
  1. With this setting disabled, you should now exist able to view file extensions as part of each file proper name in Windows File Explorer.

Renaming a File Extension Using Windows File Explorer

With file extensions visible, you tin can start changing file types past renaming the file and replacing the onetime extension with the new extension. For example, replacing file.txt with file.md would turn a TXT text file to a Discussion document in the older Physician format. Every bit the file contains text, Give-and-take should exist able to sympathize and open information technology.

Nonetheless, this only works considering software like Give-and-take is frequently smart enough to recognize the contents of certain files, filling in the gaps where it can to open the file. Where changing TXT to Physician would work, this wouldn't work with the newer DOCX format for Word document, as this newer file type is much more 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 pick.
  1. Supersede the older file extension with the new file extension, then press the Enter fundamental or click in the empty white space to relieve the changes.
  1. Windows volition warn y'all that irresolute file extensions in this style can break the file. If you're sure you wish to continue, select OK to confirm.

Once confirmed, the file extension will exist changed and the file will be listed as the new file blazon in the Type cavalcade. Depending on the file extensions used, you should at present exist able to open the file. If the process hasn't worked, rename the file and return information technology back to the previous extension.

Saving a File in Another File Format

Renaming a file type in Windows File Explorer doesn't alter the file'south data and can only work in certain (limited) circumstances. If yous want to change a file extension properly, you'll need to save or export information technology to another format.

This works well with file types that are related. Information technology's piece of cake enough to change a DOCX file to a PDF, or a BIN to ISO, but it's more circuitous to change between very dissimilar types. For instance, while a PDF can be exported as images, you can't simply rename a PDF file to the PNG format.

If the software you're using is designed to permit editing, you lot can frequently relieve or export a file to another format by selecting File > Relieve or Salve Equally from the software card. In the Save As window, you lot should be able to change the file type of the saved file below the file proper noun.

Y'all'll demand to check what file extensions are supported by the software you're using. If you lot want to export your file to a format information technology doesn't support, so you'll demand to look for alternative software or consider converting it online using a file conversion website.

Changing File Types Using Online Services

If you don't have the software to convert a file from one file type to some other, you can use online services to do so. Once you upload the file, the remote server will convert information technology, allowing you to download the file in the new format.

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

Given the huge number of dissimilar file types out there, information technology isn't possible to recommend one service or another. If you do desire to endeavour a service similar this, notwithstanding, then try a quick Google search.

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

Managing Files in Windows 10

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

If you're running out of space for your new files, you may need to expect at a disk space analyzer to have a fleck of a clean out. In that location are means to automatically delete files in Windows x, but if you're worried about losing important documents or photos, exist sure to look through and backup your files yourself.