How to detect unknown File type in Windows

This happens a little too often. You download a file from the internet or from somewhere and it has the icon of an unknown file type. Here’s a quick tip to figure that out.

1. Windows is one operating system which relies on the file extension to determine its type. Thus make sure you are able to see the extension of this unknown file. If you are not, in explorer go to Tools > Folder Options > View and uncheck the option “Hide extensions for unknown file types”.
2. Once you know the file extension, browse to the site FileExt and enter the file extension into the search bar there. This will bring up information about that particular file type and the programs that you can use to open it.

Now, once in a while you may also come across an unknown file type with a missing extension. Guess what, you can use this nifty tool — File Identifier — to get information for those files. Once you know about it’s type all you have to do is change its extension to the proper one.

Known what type of file it is can indicate potential security threats to your computer and help you keep your computer safe and free of bugs.