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

CFG file extension

Configuration File

Settings Files

DRV file extension

Device Driver

System Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

M3U file extension

Media Playlist File

Audio Files

MSG file extension

Outlook Mail Message

Text Files

PART file extension

Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

PCT file extension

Picture File

Layout Files

PSPIMAGE file extension

PaintShop Pro Image

Raster Image 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

TARGZ file extension

Compressed Tarball File

Compressed Files

TORRENT file extension

BitTorrent File

Misc Files

TXT file extension

Plain Text File

Text Files

VB file extension

VBScript File

Executable Files