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Common Filetypes
10 December 2006 (updated)
A list of common file types with a brief description and examples of programs that can open these files.
If a file does not appear to have a filetype extension, open the folder it is stored in and click on Tools from the menu, then Folder Options. Click on the View tab and un-tick Hide extensions for known file types.
- .avi - video file. Open with Windows Media Player
- .bmp - image file. Open with Paint
- .cfg - configuration file.
- .dat - data file.
- .doc - document file. Open with Word
- .exe - program file. Double-click to run
- .gif - image file. Open with Paint
- .htm - web document. Open with Internet Explorer
- .html - web document. Open with Internet Explorer
- .ini - text configuration file. Open with Notepad
- .jpeg/jpg - image file. Open with Paint
- .mov - movie file. Open with Quicktime
- .mpeg/mpg - video file. Open with QuickTime
- .mp3 - audio file. Open with Windows Media Player
- .pdf - secure document file. Open with Adobe Reader
- .pps - slideshow presentation. Open with PowerPoint
- .ppt - presentation file. Open with PowerPoint
- .sys - system file.
- .txt - text file. Open with Notepad
- .wav - audio file. Open with Windows Media Player
- .xls - spreadsheet file. Open with Excel
- .zip - compressed file. Open with WinZip
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Check hard disk space
Double click on the My Computer icon on your Desktop and right-click on your hard disk (usually drive C). Click Properties to see the amount of disk space left on your computer.
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View our Computer Jargon page for explanations of common computer and internet terms used on this site.