Computer virus sometimes masquerade as harmless e - chain armor attachments . The fast way to spot the interlopers is by their Indian file extension – the letter ( usually three ) following the final period in the Indian file ’s name . This elongation is an all important aspect of nearly every filing cabinet on your computer ; without it , Windows does n’t bonk whether to launch the file in your Logos processor or another app , to launch it as a program , or to get other program use it as a system resource . cognise a Indian file ’s extension phone can also facilitate you customize your system and clean out the dross .
Unfortunately , Microsoft started hide single file extensions in Windows 95 . To check that your file extension phone are seeable , open Windows Explorer or any brochure window and chooseView , Folder OptionsorTools , Folder Options(depending on your interlingual rendition ) . Click theViewtab , make trusted the option to ‘ veil annex for known Indian file types ’ is uncurbed ( the accurate wording will vary reckon on your variation of Windows ; seeFIGURE 1FIGURE 1 : The hidden is revealed when you make window show all file extensions . ) , and clickOK . Now annexe will be visible for nearly every file on your desktop and in your Explorer and folder windows .
The File Types tab in the Folder Options dialogue box lists the extensions registered on your organization ( “ registered ” means that Windows screw what to do with that type of Indian file ; seeFIGURE 2FIGURE 2 : Get the skinny on your PC ’s file character in the Folder Options dialog corner . ) . It also shows the file cabinet descriptions you would see if you looked in the Type column of Explorer ’s Details view ( chooseView , Details ) . Note that in Windows 9x , you must select one of the registered Indian file types to see its lengthiness displayed in the region below .
FIGURE 1: The hidden is revealed when you make Windows show all file extensions.
If you ’re uncoerced to redact the register , you may display most single file extension buthide a few of your selection . Or you canshow the extensionsof only the single file types you choose . Here are the file extensions you need to be cognisant of .
An eye on executables : An executable ( .comor.exe ) list machine - speech communication command that a computer can understand and execute . Do n’t found executable files that you receive from an unnamed source ( such as via an unsolicited e - mail ) , since the sender could have a malicious design . Also , many dirt ball circularize via e - mail address books , so you may know the purported transmitter of an septic filing cabinet . Do n’t open any executable file cabinet until you have confirm by telephone or e - chain armour that the file is legit . By university extension ( pun intended),.bat(batch files ) and.cmd(Windows 2000 spate filing cabinet ) include executable commands and may contain malicious computer code .
book tease : Scripts are pieces of human - readable computer programing codification that services read into car - code direction and execute . window will set in motion one of its many script services when you double - click a script file ( just as Windows will open Word to exhibit a word of honor processing written document if you doubly - clack a .doc file ) . You encounter book often while World Wide Web browsing and do other PC chore , but you probably do n’t require to let just any old handwriting file run on your computing machine . The script Indian file extensions to be wary of include those that work with Windows Script Host ( .ws,.wsc,.wsf ) , JavaScript ( .js ) , and Visual Basic ( .vb,.vbe,.vbs ) .
Other service - launching extension : If you double - fall into place a data file whose reference is link up with a Windows service , that help will open and run , using the information in the file you double - clicked to recount the service what to do . Such elongation include.pif(a program information data file that tells Windows how to run an previous DOS app),.msi(a Windows installer database),.hta(an HTML app ) , and.scr(a screen saver ) .
blank space savers : If you ’re tired of the CRT screen rescuer on your system , save record space by searching for all of your system ’s .scr files ( enter*.scras the Indian file name you ’re searching for ) and erase the ones you do n’t desire ( seeFIGURE 3FIGURE 3 : Find and erase unwanted screen recoverer by explore for all .scr files . ) . For crying seclusion , use the right - shiner push button to drag on any .scr file to your desktop or the Start menu ( or one of its submenus ) , and chooseCreate Shortcut(s ) Here . Just click the shortcut to set in motion the screen saver , and tap a Francis Scott Key or jiggle your mouse to turn it off .
Control Panel icon elimination : Readers frequently expect how to remove icons from their Control Panel windowpane . When the culprit is not one of Windows ’ own control panels but an uninvited intruder installed by some other program , it ’s utilitarian to have intercourse that most Control Panel picture represent file with the.cplextension . Enter*.cplin the file - name field of Windows ’ search function to lean the Control Panel applet on your system . three-fold - click each file until you notice the one that you do n’t take . Move the unwanted file to another folder , or make a backup written matter and erase the original . Note that in some cases multiple icon in the Control Panel window may represent a single .cpl file . For example , remove main.cpl will eradicate the Fonts , Keyboard , Mouse , and Printers icons .
system of rules secrets : Some system file type do n’t lead by themselves and do n’t open up in an app ; other programs on your personal computer use these file cabinet to get data about your configurations , special programming functions , and other resources . you could customize your organization by editing certain.ini,.inf , and other organization file cabinet . For instance , convert your sysoc.inf filegives you more control over uninstalling components of Windows 2000 and XP . Oredit your desktop.ini fileto lend wallpaper to XP ’s folder windows .
One plebeian system file character is the dynamic contact library , or.dll . Sometimes multiple program will install one.dllfile , potentially causing conflicts . To help oneself ripe substance abuser and IS pros sort through.dll - link snafu , Microsoft has place up asearchable databasethat they can expend to ferret out the purpose of any Microsoft .dll file .
Wascally Wegistwy files : Exported portions of the Windows Registry have the.regextension . When you redact the Registry , these data file do as little , targeted backups of the parcel you ’ll be turn on . ClickStart , Run , typeregedit , pressEnter , navigate the tree dot on the left ( or utilise theEdit , Findfeature ) , and tick the section of the Registry you design to edit . ChooseRegistry , Export Registry File , make certain that ‘ Selected limb ’ is play up , specify a name and a location to salt away it in , and clickSave . The preferences for that portion of the Registry will be saved as a file with the.regextension . If you make a boo - boo , you’re able to restore that portion of the Registry to its prior country by double - dawn the backup file and then conform to the on - screen prompts . You ’re not likely to encounter a problem with.regfiles that you make yourself , but mind of unknown or unsolicited.regfiles ! If you fuse a corrupt , outdated , or malicious.regfile , you could damage your Windows preferences .
Eliminate XP’s Boot Menu
Joe Henriques of Etobicoke , Ontario , reinstalled Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition , but now a menu asks him to choose ‘ Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition ’ or ‘ Microsoft Windows XP Setup ’ before Windows will start . Since the default option is Setup , he gets an error if he does n’t select XP Home within a short time . The underlying problem : An ingress has been added to his boot.ini file , a system file in the root of the start - up parkway .
Henriques could delete the file to leave only the correct pick , but it ’s easy to tell Windows to dismiss the undesirable launching . In Explorer , correct - clickMy Computerand chooseProperties . ClickAdvanced , preferences(under Startup and Recovery ) . Choose the operating system from the ‘ Default operating system ’ drop - down list to interchange the default . To conquer the fare entirely , uncheckTime to display lean of operating organisation . ClickOKtwice .
Windows Toolbox: Get Free 128-Bit Encryption for FAT 32 With AxCrypt
To make your files secret without resorting to the NTFS single file system , look no further thanAxCrypt , a handy small utility that let you lock your filing cabinet by clicking your right - mouse push button . After you set up the program , right - fall into place a file cabinet and chooseAxCryptto see a submenu of program line for protecting or access your files using the utility ’s 128 - spot encryption . encrypt a folder protects all of the data file it contain . you’re able to even have AxCrypt remember a single countersign and use it by nonpayment so you only have to enter it once per log - on and/or reboot . Secure and simple : What ’s not to like ? Though AxCrypt is completely free , its God Almighty advance a $ 5 or $ 10 contribution if you like it .
