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

ASF file extension

Advanced Systems Format File

Video Files

ASPX file extension

Active Server Page Extended File

Web Files

CBR file extension

Comic Book RAR Archive

Compressed Files

CRDOWNLOAD file extension

Chrome Partially Downloaded File

Misc Files

DEM file extension

Video Game Demo File

Game Files

ICS file extension

iCalendar File

Misc Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

M4A file extension

MPEG-4 Audio File

Audio Files

MDB file extension

Microsoft Access Database

Database Files

MSI file extension

Windows Installer Package

Misc Files

PPS file extension

PowerPoint Slide Show

Data Files

ROM file extension

N64 Game ROM File

Game Files

SRT file extension

SubRip Subtitle File

Video Files

TEX file extension

LaTeX Source Document

Text Files

TMP file extension

Temporary File

Backup Files