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

AI file extension

Adobe Illustrator File

Vector Image Files

DNG file extension

Digital Negative Image File

Camera Raw Files

EXE file extension

Windows Executable File

Executable Files

H file extension

C/C++/Objective-C Header File

Developer Files

IFF file extension

Interchange File Format

Audio Files

JAR file extension

Java Archive File

Executable Files

LNK file extension

Windows File Shortcut

System Files

MDF file extension

Media Disc Image File

Disk Image Files

MP4 file extension

MPEG-4 Video File

Video Files

MSG file extension

Outlook Mail Message

Text Files

NES file extension

Nintendo (NES) ROM File

Game Files

RM file extension

Real Media File

Video Files

TGA file extension

Targa Graphic

Raster Image Files

VCXPROJ file extension

Visual C++ Project

Developer Files

WPS file extension

Microsoft Works Word Processor Document

Text Files