There are a number of filename extension databases on the
Web, which is useful if you encounter a file you can??™t open
and don??™t recognize. Some of the better resources include
http://wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_file_formats and http://filext.
com. Alternatively, you can double-click the unknown file
and when Windows asks you what you want to do
(Figure 3-11), select Use the Web service to find the correct
program, and click OK. Just don??™t be surprised if you don??™t
get a satisfying response.
It may seem silly that so much of Windows??™ ability to open files rests on
something as easy to break as the filename, but the design does have its
advantages. For instance, it??™s fairly easy to change the program used to open
all your digital photos without having to modify all your .jpg files to do it.
The biggest flaw in the system is that Windows hides filename extensions by
default, which is why Windows Explorer shows only Readme instead of
Readme.txt. Fortunately, this is easy enough to change; just open Folder
Options in Control Panel (or click Organize ??? Folder and Search Options
Figure 3-11. If you see this window, the selected file??™s filename extension isn??™t currently
registered on your PC
124 | Chapter 3: The Registry
in Windows Explorer). In the Folder Options window, choose the View tab,
turn off the Hide extensions for known file types option, and click OK.
If you have Windows show filename extensions, it??™s easier to determine
what kind of files you??™re dealing with.
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