how do you change file extentions?

[b1tchm4gn3t]

just as the header says, I need to know how to change file extentions from say XXXX.dat to say XXXX.mpg.

[thevoelk]

Most likely you have to enable the option "Show File Extensions". Go to Tools-->Folder OPtions-->View (Tab). Look for the box titled "Hide extensions for known file types". Chekc that and Apply/OK your way back to the Explorer Window. After that, right click on the file and click rename.

Keep in mind, you aren't really hanging the file type since that is encoded in the header of the file.

[b1tchm4gn3t]

under TOOLS, there are no FOLDER OPTIONS....thats weird...I used to see it in there.


~edit~ ok...n/m, i was trying it through IE instead of on the folder I want to change them in

[b1tchm4gn3t]

alright, that "Hide extensions for known file types" already has a check in it. I have always been able to rename files, I just want to be able to change the extentions.

EDIT: OK, got it, thanks so much!

[Prot]

You really don't even need to show file extensions to do it. Just rename it (keep original name if you like), but just ADD the new extension when you do.

EX:
file name is "movie" (no DAT extension showing)
Rename it as "movie.mpg"

That should do it

[Supreme2k]

That won't work.

Without showing the file extensions, if you rename "movie" by just adding ".mpg", the hidden name will be "movie.mpg.dat".

It's the same when you try to save any document in Notepad. If you save myfile.bat, it will save as myfile.bat.txt unless you name it "myfile.bat"

[JerryB]

just as the header says, I need to know how to change file extentions from say XXXX.dat to say XXXX.mpg.

none of the windows version really do this gracefully, letting you change the extention if you need to....

there a few dos shell programs that will make it easer and i think there a program call rjs...... that insert it self in explorer menu.....

however a tried and true way of doing it is using a dos command....

RENAME or REN ..... for example......
open up a command prompt window...
navagate to the folder the file in
type rename picture.dat picture.mpg and hit returnn manually changing the extention... but keep in mind that doesn't change the format of the file.....