How to Rename File Extensions
A file extension is typically a three-letter code that follows a dot (.) in the file name. The extension allows you to conveniently and easily associate files of a certain type with the respective program; for example, the extension ".xls" defines Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files. Changing a file extension may enable a different program to automatically recognize and work with a file.
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Instructions
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Using Windows Explorer
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Click "Computer" from the Start menu in Windows to open Windows Explorer.
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Navigate to the folder with the file to be renamed, using Windows Explorer.
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Right-click on the desired file and select "Rename" from the menu.
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Erase the final three letters of the file extension; for example, if the file is "report.log", make it simply "report."
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Type the new extension after the dot (.)--for instance, you may make the above example "report.txt"--and press "Enter" to rename the file.
In Windows Command Prompt
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Click "Start" In Windows, type the command "cmd" and press "Enter" on your keyboard to open the command prompt window.
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Use the command "cd directory name"--for example, "cd user/smith/"--to navigate to the folder with a file you have to rename.
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Type the command "move file.ext1 file.ext2"--for example, "move report.log report.txt"--and then press "Enter" on the keyboard to rename the file extension.
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