renaming files

[Adam]

when i try renaming files i get the error message "if you
change a file name extension, the file may become
unusable"
what can i do to try to stop getting this message and
just letting me rename files.

[Jim]

Xref: kermit microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics:134363

Highlight the part of the filename before the dot and extension, and change
only that part. I'm assuming that you don't want to change the extension!

Jim

"Adam" > wrote in message
...
> when i try renaming files i get the error message "if you
> change a file name extension, the file may become
> unusable"
> what can i do to try to stop getting this message and
> just letting me rename files.
>

>-----Original Message-----
>Highlight the part of the filename before the dot and
extension, and change
>only that part. I'm assuming that you don't want to
change the extension!
>
>Jim
>
>"Adam" > wrote in message
...
>> when i try renaming files i get the error message "if
you
>> change a file name extension, the file may become
>> unusable"
>> what can i do to try to stop getting this message and
>> just letting me rename files.
>>
>
>
>.
>
Yes but before I thought I could rename the file to what
i want without messing with file extensions

[Sharon F]

On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 12:34:11 -0700, > wrote:

>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>Highlight the part of the filename before the dot and
> extension, and change
>>only that part. I'm assuming that you don't want to
> change the extension!
>>
>>Jim
>>
>>"Adam" > wrote in message
...
>>> when i try renaming files i get the error message "if
> you
>>> change a file name extension, the file may become
>>> unusable"
>>> what can i do to try to stop getting this message and
>>> just letting me rename files.
>>>
>>
>>
>>.
>>
> Yes but before I thought I could rename the file to what
> i want without messing with file extensions

The default setting in Windows is to "hide known file extensions." Any file
type that is registered, TXT for example, will only show the first part of
the name. These can easily be renamed without worrying about the file
extension.

If the settings in Folder Options> View has been changed to *not* hide
known file extensions or if the file type is not known and displayed, then
you have to type in the file extension when renaming or avoid changing it
all as Jim suggested.

While hiding known file extensions is easier when it comes to renaming,
showing file extensions is considered to be safer. Example: If a virus
comes along and changes all of your JPG files to VBS files, you would know
immediately from the change in extension that there was trouble.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP/ Windows XP - Shell/User