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

ASP file extension

Active Server Page

Web Files

BAT file extension

DOS Batch File

Executable Files

CRDOWNLOAD file extension

Chrome Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

CS file extension

Visual C# Source Code File

Developer Files

DDS file extension

DirectDraw Surface

Raster Image Files

EXE file extension

Windows Executable File

Executable Files

FLV file extension

Flash Video File

Video Files

GAM file extension

Saved Game File

Game Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

MAX file extension

3ds Max Scene File

3D Image Files

MPA file extension

MPEG-2 Audio File

Audio Files

NES file extension

Nintendo (NES) ROM File

Game Files

PCT file extension

Picture File

Layout Files

VCF file extension

vCard File

Data Files

ZIP file extension

Zipped File

Compressed Files