4 Easy Ways to Change File Type (Extension) on Windows 11

When opening a file in Windows, the file extension determines the app used to open it. If there are multiple options, you may choose which one to use. But can you change the file type in Windows 11? Let’s find out.

To convert file types on Windows 11, start by renaming the file extension. However, some video and text file types may not convert. Another method is to open the file extension in a compatible program and use the save as feature. You can also use the Command Prompt to change the file extension.

Now, let’s go through each method step-by-step. But first, let’s make the file format visible for all files.

How to Use Control Panel to Make File Type Visible

Before changing the file type on Windows 11, ensure that all file extensions are visible. Here is the easiest way to enable this feature:

1. Click on Search and type “Control Panel.” Open the Control Panel from the search results.

Step 2: In the Control Panel search bar, type ‘File Explorer Options’.

Step 3: Open File Explorer Options.

Step 4: From the menu options, click View. Step 5: Scroll down and uncheck the ‘Hide extensions for known file types’ option.

Step 6: Click Apply, then OK.

To enable file extension names, you can change the file extension on Windows 11.

Once the file extension is visible for all files, we can proceed with changing the file type. There are three major ways to convert file types in Windows 11. Let’s take a detailed look at them.

1. Rename the File

When changing a file’s type, simply select the file and change its extension. Follow these steps to do so.

Note: When using the rename option to convert file types, make sure the before and after extensions are similar to avoid corruption.

Step 1: Open the folder containing the file you want to change.

Step 2: Click on the file and choose Rename from the menu options.

Step 3: Rename the extension.

Step 4: Click on Yes.

Changing the file type may resolve the issue. Try opening the file again to confirm if the change is successful. This is particularly important when converting video files, as they often alter their file extension name while maintaining their original extension characteristics.

2. Using the Save as Option to Convert File Extension

The save as option allows you to open the file extension in the appropriate software. Using the Settings menu, save the file again in a different format. Here’s how:

Note: For this demonstration, we will use a .pdf file with Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader.

Step 1: Go to the folder and open the file.

Step 2: Click on File options.

Step 3: Click Save As.

Step 4: Select the format to save the file.

Step 5: Select the folder to save the file and click Save.

When converting a file, use this option to save it in your preferred format

3. Using Command Prompt

To change the file type on Windows 11, you can use the Command Prompt. You have two options: change the file extension for individual files or change multiple file extensions simultaneously. Here’s how.

Step 1: Right-click on the Windows icon and select Terminal.

Step 2: Open the Terminal and click on Command Prompt.

Step 3: Go to the folder containing the file and right-click it.

Step 4: Click on ‘Copy as path’.

Step 5: Go to Command Prompt and enter the command “cd /d ‘folder path copied earlier’.”

Step 6: Press Enter to open a new line with the file name.

Step 7: Type the command and press enter.

rename “file-with-extension-1” to “file-with-extension-2”

Note: Replace file-with-extension-1 with the original file name and extension, and file-with-extension-2 with the desired file name and extension.

Changing the file format for each file will occur.

2. Change Multiple File Extensions at Once

Follow these steps to copy a file path:

Step 1: Open the folder containing the file.

Step 2: Right-click on the file.

Step 3: Select “Copy as path” from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Right-click on the Windows icon and select Terminal.

Step 4: Click on the down arrow and select Command Prompt.

Step 5: Type the command and press enter. This will open a new line with the file name.

cd /d “name of the folder path copied earlier”

Step 6: Here, as per your requirement, type any of the following commands and press enter.

To convert multiple files within the same folder, use the command:

rename *.fileextension1 *.fileextension2

Converting multiple files while saving a copy of the original:
xcopy *.fileextension1 *.fileextension2

• Converting multiple files regardless of their original extension:

ren *.* *.newfileextension

To convert multiple files in sub-folders, use the following command:

for /R %x in (*.extension1) do ren “%x” *.extension2

Once you press enter, the command will be executed.

4. Using Online Converters to Convert Your File

You can use third-party tools like Online-Convert and Could Convert to convert video, text, and image files. They are highly recommended for converting media files as they can completely convert the files to the desired format, which the previous methods might not be able to do.

Yes, you can set default file types in Windows 11. Open Settings, go to Apps, click on Default apps, search for the app you want to set as the default, select it, and click OK. You can also check our article on setting default apps in Windows 11.

Change the File Type

These are the ways you can change the file extension on Windows 11. We hope this helped you in changing the file to your preferred format. If you wish to customize your device, you can also turn off Sticky Keys in Windows 11.