File Extension: How To Rename and Convert File Extension - Which Better?

 

How to renaming file extension 

To rename a file extension, follow these steps:


Open File Explorer and go to the location where the file is stored.

Select the file you want to rename, right-click on it, and choose "Rename" from the context menu.

Delete the old file extension and type the new file extension. Make sure to include the period (.) before the new file extension. For example, if you want to change a file named "example.txt" to "example.doc," delete the ".txt" and type ".doc" in its place.

Press Enter to save the new file name.

Note: If you are unable to see the file extension, you will need to change your File Explorer settings to show file extensions. To do this, go to the View tab in the ribbon, click on the Options button, and then select the "Change folder and search options" button. In the Folder Options window, go to the View tab, scroll down to the "Hide extensions for known file types" option, and uncheck the box next to it. Click on the "Apply to Folders" button and then click "OK" to save the changes.


Renaming a file extension is a simple process that can be accomplished in a few different ways. Here are the steps for renaming a file extension in Windows and macOS:


Locate the file that you want to rename.

Right-click on the file and select "Rename" from the context menu.

Change the file extension by either deleting it and typing in a new one, or simply changing the existing extension. For example, you could change "photo.jpg" to "photo.png" by changing the "jpg" to "png".

Press the "Enter" key to save the changes.

You can also rename a file extension using the command line. Here are the steps for renaming a file extension using the command line in Windows:


Open the command prompt by typing "cmd" into the Start menu search bar and pressing Enter.

Navigate to the directory that contains the file you want to rename. You can use the "cd" command to change directories. For example, to navigate to the "Downloads" folder, you would type "cd Downloads" and press Enter.

Type "rename" followed by the name of the file you want to rename, then the new extension. For example, to rename "photo.jpg" to "photo.png", you would type "rename photo.jpg photo.png".

Press the Enter key to save the changes.

On macOS, you can use the "mv" command in the terminal to rename a file. Here are the steps for renaming a file extension using the terminal on macOS:


Open the terminal by searching for "terminal" in Spotlight or by navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

Navigate to the directory that contains the file you want to rename. You can use the "cd" command to change directories.

Type "mv" followed by the name of the file you want to rename, then the new extension. For example, to rename "photo.jpg" to "photo.png", you would type "mv photo.jpg photo.png".

Press the Enter key to save the changes.

There are many different types of file extensions, and each type is associated with a specific type of file. Some common file extensions include:


.txt: a plain text file

.doc: a Microsoft Word document

.pdf: a Portable Document Format file

.jpg: a JPEG image file

.mp3: an MP3 audio file

.mp4: an MP4 video file

.exe: an executable file

It is important to be careful when renaming a file extension, as changing a file extension can potentially make a file unusable. Always make sure that you are using the correct file extension for the type of file that you are working with.


Impact rename file extension 


Renaming a file extension can change how a computer handles the file, but it will not necessarily change the contents of the file. For example, renaming a file with the ".txt" extension to have the ".doc" extension will not change the fact that it is a text file. However, some programs may not recognize the file as a compatible format if it has the wrong extension.


On the other hand, if you rename a file with a special program that is designed to change the file format (for example, a .docx file to a .pdf file), then the contents of the file may be altered in the process, because the program is actually converting the file from one format to another.


It is generally recommended to be careful when renaming file extensions, as it can cause problems if the file is not in the expected format.


How to convert file extension 


To convert a file from one format to another, you will need to use a file converter tool. There are many free file converter tools available online that can help you convert a file from one format to another. Some popular options include:


Online-Convert.com: This website allows you to convert files to and from a wide variety of formats, including audio, video, document, and image formats.


Zamzar: This online file converter allows you to convert files to and from various formats, including audio, video, image, and document formats.


FileZigZag: This online file converter allows you to convert files to and from a variety of formats, including audio, video, document, and image formats.


To use one of these file converter tools, follow these steps:


Go to the website of the file converter tool you want to use.

Click on the "Choose Files" button and select the file you want to convert.

Select the output format you want to convert the file to.

Click on the "Convert" button to start the conversion process.

Once the conversion is complete, you will be able to download the converted file to your computer.


Impact convert file extension 


Converting a file from one format to another can have various impacts, depending on the specific file and the format it is being converted to. Here are a few potential impacts of converting a file:


Quality loss: Depending on the specific file and the conversion process, converting a file from one format to another may result in a loss of quality. This is especially true for audio and video files, which can lose some of their clarity and detail during the conversion process.


Compatibility issues: In some cases, converting a file from one format to another may result in compatibility issues. For example, if you convert a file to a format that is not supported by your software or device, you may not be able to open or view the file.


File size changes: Converting a file from one format to another may also result in changes to the file size. In some cases, the file may become larger, while in other cases it may become smaller.


Additional features: In some cases, converting a file from one format to another may allow you to access additional features or capabilities that are not available in the original format. For example, converting a document from a proprietary format to a standard format like PDF may allow you to more easily share the document with others.


It's important to consider these potential impacts before converting a file, as the conversion process is typically irreversible.


Better rename file extension or convert file 


It depends on what you are trying to do. If you simply want to change the file extension so that a computer recognizes it as a different file type, it is usually better to rename the file extension. This is because renaming the file extension does not alter the contents of the file, so there is less risk of damaging the file or losing information.


On the other hand, if you want to actually change the format of the file (for example, if you want to convert a Word document to a PDF), then it is usually better to use a file conversion program. These programs are specifically designed to convert files from one format to another, and they can usually preserve the contents of the file more accurately than simply renaming the file extension. However, there is still a risk that some information may be lost or the file may be damaged during the conversion process.


Thing about renaming and convert file extension 


There are a few things to consider when deciding whether to rename a file extension or convert the file:


What is the current file format, and what format do you want to change it to? If you simply want to change the file extension (for example, from .txt to .doc), then renaming the file may be sufficient. If you want to change the file format (for example, from .doc to .pdf), then you will need to use a file conversion program.


Is the file important? If the file contains valuable or irreplaceable information, you may want to be more cautious and use a file conversion program to minimize the risk of damaging the file.


Do you have the necessary software? Some file formats can only be converted with specific software. Make sure you have the right program or service to do the conversion.


Are you confident in your ability to rename the file extension correctly? If you are not sure how to do this, or if you are worried about making a mistake, it may be safer to use a file conversion program.