If your workspace revolves around a computer then you unknowingly come across multiple file types in your Windows 10 PC. Some of them are familiar and a few are total might be unknown to see. You will get to see .exe, zip, png files commonly because those are frontend files, but we get confused when we see any backend files such as XML files. That makes our Windows 10 operating system unique because it can analyze and identify any files types available.

In this article, you will get to know everything about how to change the file types in Windows 10. Follow the content till the end to know more about files type and how to manage them without any problems.

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What are Files Types in Windows 10? And Can You Change it?

In simple words, file types are nothing but file extensions. These file extensions are suffixes present at the end of each file in a computer. With the help of file extensions, Windows 10 operating system can be able to identify or recognize what applications belong to what file types.

For example, a document file has suffix as .doc and a ZIP file will have suffix as .zip. Likewise, you will get to see many file types on your Windows 10 PC. Furthermore, you can change the file types but, in most cases, it depends on the file itself.

When the file extension in Windows is somehow deleted then the system won’t be able to recognize the file type. Suppose if you rename a file “iHax.png” to “iHax.txt” then Windows will not able to read the file and will show an error.

How to Change File Types in Windows 10

Follow the methods mentioned below to change file types in Windows 10

Changing the File Type by Save As option

Here, we will change the file type using Save As option use to save a document or a file. Mind you, this method is limited to few files, so it can’t change the file type in special cases, like a document file to mp3 because your system cannot recognize it.

Importantly, this method works well with documents such as changing DOCX file to PDF, ISO file to BIN, etc. When you editing any document, let’s say WordPad then open the document file that you want to change the file type. Click on File> Save or Save As (You can also press Ctrl+S). In the Save As window, select the Save as type.

Windows will allow your process if it’s appropriate, else it will be exported or saved as a file type that is not supported by the system.

Changing the File Type by Rename

This method is also limited to fewer file types. For example, you can rename the file “iHax.txt” to “iHax.doc” so that the same file type can be recognized by the system.

I personally used this method for converting .jpeg to .png when Photoshop is unable to open a .jpeg file for editing. But this method works when the image itself is made in that way else, this method will not work.

Step 1: Do a right-click on the file that you want to change the file type, and select Rename.

Step 2: Rename the file and change from .txt to .doc or vice versa.

Step 3: A prompt will appear related to the rename, press Yes.

Try to open the file to see if this works, else you can again rename the file back to what it was earlier.

Changing the File Type by Windows File Explorer

Here, we will change the setting to view hidden file extension in order to change the file type using Windows file explorer.

Step 1: Open Windows File Explorer.

Step 2: Select View > Options > Change folder and search option.

Step 3: Under the Folder Options, uncheck Hide extensions for known file types and select ok.

When you disable the setting, then you will be able to see the file type of the available file name.

Changing File Type using Online Services

There is plenty of software available online that will help you to change the file type. We cannot certainly name one but you have to do research. Also, we advise you not to use this method unless you are okay with sharing your file online. Your precious and secret file might be secret and private anymore because it leads to data compromission.

Conclusion

Changing file type is not a complex process but you need to know whether the file will be accessible by the system after changing its type. Also, if you just want to change the file for certain files like .txt to .doc, or .jpeg to .png then everything mentioned above is all valid methods to do so.

That’s it for now, hope this helps! We are glad to know your thoughts in the comment section below. Till then, stay tuned for more info.

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