File extensions – definition and basic information


File extensions are the integral parts of the files that are on each computer. Often, when working on a computer, we encounter a wide range of files, such as docx, ppt, part, mp3 or rmvb. We realize that they are there – but we often do not know what they are for on our computer.

File extension, also known as the filename extension is a suffix added to the name of a computer file, usually consisting of a number of characters placed after the last dot in the filename, which gives us information about its coding. In other words a file extension is a file format. It allows the operating system (e.g. Windows) to recognize what program it should try to open the file.

In the table below you will find a random selection of popular file extensions.


File extension The full name of the file Category

7Z file extension

7-Zip Compressed File

Compressed Files

ROM file extension

N64 Game ROM File

Game Files

CRX file extension

Chrome Extension

Plugin Files

TEX file extension

LaTeX Source Document

Text Files

GED file extension

GEDCOM Genealogy Data File

Data Files

ASF file extension

Advanced Systems Format File

Video Files

CAB file extension

Windows Cabinet File

System Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

ZIPX file extension

Extended Zip File

Compressed Files

DRV file extension

Device Driver

System Files

MPG file extension

MPEG Video File

Video Files

MAX file extension

3ds Max Scene File

3D Image Files

MPA file extension

MPEG-2 Audio File

Audio Files

SLN file extension

Visual Studio Solution File

Developer Files

FON file extension

Generic Font File

Font Files