file extentions

[andshe]

on XP how do you set it so that the file extentions are
what you type into the file name. Example "pic1.gif" and
it opens as a gif file or "pic2.jpg" and it opens as a
jpg file.

[R. C. White]

Hi, andshe.

Use quotes around the filename when you Save As. Otherwise, the program
will add its default extension to whatever is already there. Since WinXP
allows periods in filenames, the program thinks that ".gif" is a part of the
name, so it adds its own extension after that.

In other words, if you are working in Word, and you want to save a file as
C:\pic1.gif, then Save As "C:\pic1.gif" - WITH the quotes. If you just save
as pic1.gif (no quotes), your filename will become pic1.gif.doc and clicking
on it will open it in Word, not in Paint or whatever you have set as the
default for .gif.

This problem is made worse and more confusing because the Default setting of
WinXP is to hide extensions. When you look at the file pic1.gif.doc in
Explorer, all it shows you is pic1.gif - so you click, expecting Paint, but
you get Word. To fix this, go to Control Panel | Folder Options and click
the View tab. Under Files and Folders, remove the check box from Hide
extensions for known file types. Next time you look at pic1.gif.doc, you
will see the .doc extension and know what to expect.

While you are in Folder Options, you might want to click the File Types tab
and make sure the Opens with defaults are what you want them to be.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

"andshe" > wrote in message
...
> on XP how do you set it so that the file extentions are
> what you type into the file name. Example "pic1.gif" and
> it opens as a gif file or "pic2.jpg" and it opens as a
> jpg file.

[Peter Hutchison]

On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 23:03:38 -0700, "andshe"
> wrote:

>on XP how do you set it so that the file extentions are
>what you type into the file name. Example "pic1.gif" and
>it opens as a gif file or "pic2.jpg" and it opens as a
>jpg file.

You save the file as a GIF or JPG from a Paint program.
What program that loads it is set via Explorer, Tools, Folder Options,
File Types.

Peter Hutchison
Windows FAQ
http://www.pcguru.plus.com/