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

CUE file extension

Cue Sheet File

Disk Image Files

CUR file extension

Windows Cursor

System Files

DB file extension

Database File

Database Files

ICS file extension

iCalendar File

Misc Files

KEY file extension

Keynote Presentation

Data Files

MAX file extension

3ds Max Scene File

3D Image Files

MIM file extension

Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Message File

Encoded Files

MSI file extension

Windows Installer Package

Misc Files

PL file extension

Perl Script

Developer Files

SVG file extension

Scalable Vector Graphics File

Vector Image Files

TIF file extension

Tagged Image File

Raster Image Files

TORRENT file extension

BitTorrent File

Misc Files

VB file extension

VBScript File

Executable Files

WPD file extension

WordPerfect Document

Text Files