How to Change the Extension of a File That Is Still Open

Changing the file extension changes the file type, not the data on the file.

Changing the file extension of a file while it is open is no different than changing the file extension of a file when it is not running. The only modifications that cannot be made to a file while it is in use are changes to the data inside the file, which would mean deleting parts of the file, or the entire file, or copying and pasting the file to another location.

Instructions

1. Go to the folder that contains the file that you want to change the file extension on.

2. Click on the "Tools" tab and then open the "Folder Options." In the folder options, remove the check that is next to the box that says, "Hide extensions for known file types." Click "OK" to apply the change.

3. Return to the file that you want to change in the folder and right click it. In the right click menu, select the "Rename" option. Delete the file extension of the file by pressing backspace. Then type in the new file extension that you want the folder to have. For example, if the file is called "music.mp3," delete the ".mp3" part and type in a new extension, such as ".wav," making the file "music.wav."

4. Click "OK" on the box that appears warning you that the file might not function if you change the file extension of the program. If the file does not function, you can always change it back to the original file extension (in this example, ".mp3").

References

• Media College: How to Change a File Extension in Windows