Command Prompt – How to Change File Extensions

Windows operating systems have the MS-DOS command prompt that allows you to manipulate---copy, delete and rename---files. In Linux, such commands are available via a terminal window. The way to change the file extension in both Windows and Linux is to rename a file providing the new extension.

Instructions

Things You'll Need

  • PC with Windows XP/Vista or Linux;

In Windows XP/Vista

In Windows XP/Vista, click "Start".

Click "Run" (only Windows XP). Then type "cmd" and press "Enter" to open the command prompt window.

In the MS-DOS shell window, type:

cd c:\path\to\file

and press "Enter". Example:

cd c:\user\test.

If the designated file is on a different logical drive (e.g., on drive D) type "d:" and press "Enter". Then type the "cd" command as above.

Type "dir" followed by "Enter" to list the directory content and find the designated file.

Type "rename filename.ext filename.new" and press "Enter"; ".new" is the new file extension: "filename.ext" stands for any file you might have; for example:

rename report.txt report.doc

In Linux

Right-click on Desktop and choose "open terminal" from the pop-up menu.

Type:

cd /path/to/the/file

followed by pressing "Enter" to navigate to the directory having the file. Example:

cd /home/tom/doc

Type "ls *.ext" and press "Enter" to list all files with the extension "ext", and confirm the file exists in this directory. For example: ls *.txt.

Type:

mv filename.ext filename.new

and press "Enter" to change the extension. For example:

mv report.txt report.doc

Tips & Warnings

A filename must not contain spaces to be renamed via the command prompt.

SOURCE

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