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File Extensions

File name extensions are the alphabetical or alphanumerical characters that appear at the end of a file. These are usually an acronym or abbreviation for the specific type of file.

The file extension tells the computer’s operating system what program to use to open a file. The Windows Registry records this information which can accumulate over time and result in the Registry becoming clogged up by redundant data. This can cause your computer to slow down.

It is important to clean out your Windows Registry with a trusted registry cleaner to ensure that your computer continues to perform smoothly.

It is also important to be knowledgeable about file extensions as producers of malicious software often disguise viruses as executable files.

Do not open a file if the extension looks suspicious or overly long.



What Is File Association?

Windows uses a system called 'file association' to open a file with the correct program that the file was created in. If a file has an extension .doc then Windows knows that the file is a word document and uses file association to open the file in the Microsoft Word application. Or if the file has a .bmp extension then file association will open the file in Microsoft Paint by default.
Computer File Name Extensions You Should Not Forget

File extension awareness can prevent you from downloading potentially dangerous files. It will also let you know which application is needed to open them. Read this article and it will help you in your day to day work.
File Extensions in the Windows Environment

File extensions are typically a 3 character extension on the end of a file, started with a dot. For example, a typical executable file in Windows is .exe.