Filename Extensions in Windows

Filename extensions are an important component of Microsoft Windows: without the extension, all files and folders in Windows are considered unusable. Your software programs will not work properly; in fact, your computer will not even boot at all!

What is a filename extension? It is esssentially a suffix (at the end of every file's name) to present a file's file format which dictate how a data is stored in that particular file and folder. It is also representative in telling a computer on how a data is to be accessed. For example, a file name which goes by the name "XYZ.rar". The".rar" at the back of the file name "XYZ", is a suffix symboling that the file is stored in the format of .rar file extension, and in order to access the file, users require a program named WinRAR, which is responsible for compressing and storing the file in .rar format.

By default, Windows disabled users the direct access to view file extensions at the back of each file in order to let users rename the file easily and to prevent users who are new to computering from damaging whatever files they come across. However, users can manually turn on the file extensions through certain folder tweaks.

Ok, enough theory. Now let me introduce you to some of the most common file extension used in Windows. Some you might have already come across; others might be new to you. Either way, you'll be reminded or educated...:)

Some common file formats listed in categories:

A) File Compression:

1. rar - RAR multiple file archive (WinRAR)
2. zip - ZIP compressed file (WinZIP)
3. jar -ZIP file with java application purpose. (Java App)
4. cab - Microsoft Cabinet
5. 7z - 7-Zip compressed file (7-Zip)
6. ace -ACE compressed file (WinACE)

B) Recordable Media Archive:

1. ISO - File format for optical media such as CD, DVD and Blue-ray Disc
2. IMG - File format for archiving MS-DOS floppy disc
3. SDI - File format used for archiving and provide virtual disk functionality

C) Documents, Presentations, Spreadsheets and Webpage:

1. doc - Microsoft Word document
2. docx - Microsoft Word 2007 xml-based document
3. xml - eXtensible Markup Language
4. txt - plain unicode text
5. html - Hypertext Markup Language
6. ppt - Microsoft PowerPoint
7. pptx - Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 xml-based
8. xls - Microsoft Excel
9. xlsx - Microsoft Excel 2007 xml-based
10. shtml - HTML with Microsoft Side Sever Includes
11. rss - Syndication file
12. met - Metalink for download mirror

E) Script:

1. bat - Microsoft Batch file
2. js - javascript and Jscript
3. vbs -Visual Basic Script

F) Sound and music

1. wav - Microsoft Wave
2. wma - Windows Media Audio
3. flac - Free lossless codec
4. mp3 - MPEG layer 3
5. ra/rm -Real Audio
6. mid - MIDI

G) Video

1. wmv - Windows Media Video
2. avi - video format whiche enable any form of compressions
3. flv - video encoded to run in a flash animation
4. swf - Shockwave Flash
5. gif - Animated GIF (simple animation)
6. mov - QuickTime movie
7. mpeg -
8. rm - RealMedia
9. 3GP - Video format for cell phones


While this is only a very shallow amount of file formats presented, knowing these file extensions are important; some of the people i know of who virtually play around with handphones everyday do not even know that the file extension to the videos in their handphones are in .3gp format. I can't help but wonder how did they import those videos from their PC into their handphone....not unless they only grab videos from other handphone users and never export them to their PCs....