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

CRDOWNLOAD file extension

Chrome Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

FLA file extension

Adobe Flash Animation

Developer Files

GED file extension

GEDCOM Genealogy Data File

Data Files

HTM file extension

Hypertext Markup Language File

Web Files

JAVA file extension

Java Source Code File

Developer Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

MOBI file extension

Mobipocket eBook

eBook Files

MSI file extension

Windows Installer Package

Misc Files

PPTX file extension

PowerPoint Open XML Presentation

Data Files

RPM file extension

Red Hat Package Manager File

Compressed Files

SAV file extension

Saved Game

Game Files

SWF file extension

Shockwave Flash Movie

Video Files

TORRENT file extension

BitTorrent File

Misc Files

VCXPROJ file extension

Visual C++ Project

Developer Files

WSF file extension

Windows Script File

Executable Files