How do I rename an file, INCLUDING EXTENSION, in Windows NT?

Question

for example, if I rename a file using right click, it doesn't truly change the extension, just adds one. So if I rename a file testfile.pdf to testfile.doc what I get is testfile.pdf.doc which isn't what I want. I don't want to change the association for the file types either. I just want to change the actual extension to the file.

I'll even go to DOS if that what it takes, but I hope you guys know an easier way.

Answer 1

I believe the reason Explorer won't let you change the extension is to prevent novices from accidentally changing the extension to something that won't launch the program associated with the file.

The best way I've found to rename extensions is to not hide the extensions in Explorer. Go to Tools -> Folder Options... Click the View tab. Clear the check mark in "Hide extensions for known file types" and click "Apply". Click "Apply to All Folders" to make sure the setting is applied to all folders on your system.

Answer 2

Rename File Type

Answer 3

well...this is because the file extension is already set to hidden.

To rename it, you need to reveal the file extension...
As far as I recall, for Windows NT, to reveal the file extension, you need to do the following:
- Open a folder;
- Open View -> Folder Options Menu;
- Choose the View tab;
- Check/Uncheck the Show/Hide Extensions option

As far as I recall, this option moved under Tools menu starting from Windows Me/2000

---------------
Another alternative is to rename the file using MS-Dos

- Open MS-Dos Console
either from Start Menu or from Run (I think the command file is called "command.com" under WinNT - under WinME/2000+ the name changed to "cmd");
- Open the directory containing the file you want to rename;
- Type:
ren

You may keep the filename as is, or the extension as is, or change both...

---------------
Hope this helps, as the last time I used a WinNT machine was over 5 years ago...

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I an explorer window
go to "tools"then "folder options"

Go to the "view" tab, and uncheck, "hide file extensions", hit apply.

The change the name of your file using the right click methodology you explained.

Or in DOS (the command prompt)

Type
Rename c:\directory\file.pdf file.doc

this will rename file.pdf to file.doc

Answer 5

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