How to open a file without an extension in Windows 10 and 11

Depending on the app used to create and format the file, files have different extensions. MP3 and WAV files, for example, are audio files, while MP4 and MKV files are video files. On a computer, file formats are indicated by their extension followed by a dot (.) or period after the name. For instance, Word-File.doc. To open each file format, you need a specific application. If a file does not have an extension, how do you open it?

Learn how to open a file on Windows

using these methods.

• You can open the file by double-clicking on it. Windows will automatically open the file with the correct app.
• Select the file using the mouse or arrow keys and press Enter. Once again, the OS will choose the default app associated with that file extension.
• In case the OS fails to choose the right app, you can right-click on the file and choose one of the installed apps manually.

Microsoft Windows incorporates pre-installed programs to handle most common file formats, such as Microsoft Office for Word and Excel, Windows Media Player for audio and video files, etc. There are times when these apps are not available, and other times when file extensions are not supported.

Note: Do not use the File Explorer. Replace it with one of the many file managers for Windows available.

To open a file, both the extension and the app must be supported. If either is missing, the file cannot be opened. In this case, the file extension is missing so you don’t even know which app is required. If you do have an idea, you can search Google or Bing to find a free utility to open the file.

So let us first understand how to find the file extension before we try and open a file with no extension on Windows.

Find File Extension or File Type in Windows

There are a few ways to get around this problem, some offline while others online.

1. File Explorer Details View

1. Use File Explorer to navigate to the folder where the file is saved. Click on View button and select Details from the menu.

2. Each file should be visible in list view with certain details including Type which lists the extension and format of the file. If File Explorer fails to recognize the extension, it will simply list the file as File.

2. Use Online Utility

There are a bunch of web apps that may help recognize the file extension on Windows and open a file with no extension but beware. You will have to upload the file first which can pose a privacy and security risk if the file’s nature is sensitive or confidential.

1. Simply open checkfiletype.com and upload the file. Drag and drop works like a charm. Click on Check File Type to begin the process.

2. In this case, the web app rightly identifies the file extension to be .txt or a text file.

If that site doesn’t work, try FILExt.

3. Use Offline Utility

As we said earlier, using an offline utility will keep important documents from getting into the hands of the wrong people. And it also gives you peace of mind. Useful tools like CMD and PowerShell can also be used with TrIDNet.

1. Download TrIDNet and install it just like any other app on Windows.

Note: You need .NET 3.5 installed. If not, you will be prompted to install it during the set up process.

2. Drag and drop the file with no extension onto the app's GUI after it's been installed, then close the app and restart it. The app will give the file a chance (in percent) of being found. A text file has a good chance of being 80% text and 20% another. The type and content of the file will determine how long it takes to read.

In Windows, you can open a file that doesn't have a name.

It's only half the job done when you figure out what type of file it is on Windows. Open the file and look at what's inside.

To start with, it is very simple to change the name of a file in Windows. Doing so will also help you avoid problems in the future. Double-click or hit Enter to open the file.

To change the name of a file on Windows, select the file with no extension and press F2. It's then possible to add the extension with a dot in front of it.

When I click on something in the Details view, I can't see what it is called. Continue to read.

In Windows 11, you can show file extensions.

Some Windows 11 computers don't show file extensions in the File Explorer by default, but you can change that. Instead, you can look at the thumbnail or the name of the app. Here's how you turn it on.

1. Press Windows key+E to open the File Explorer.

2. Click on the three-dot menu and select Options from the drop-down menu.

3. Under the View tab, uncheck the Hide extensions for known file types option. Then click on Apple > OK to saves changes.

You should know see the file extension in every mode and not just Details view in Windows 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Displaying File Extensions Is Important?

Let’s say you downloaded a file from the web and on the tin it says it is a PDF file. But in actuality, it is a malicious executable (.exe) file. You don’t want to click on that file but you don’t know any better. If only you could view the file extension in File Explorer beforehand. Sigh.

2. Is There Any Other Way to Open Filex With No Extension

In Windows, you can simply right-click the file name in File Explorer and select ‘Open with’ to select an app manually. However, you can do so only if you know the file extension beforehand. If you do know but the right app is missing, simply download a free utility and install first.

A Horse With No Name

Downloading and opening a file with no extension is a great risk. It could be a virus, malware, or ransomware. Uploading a file of sensitive nature can be equally fatal. Ideally, you should use a desktop tool and if there is no risk, nothing beats the simplicity of uploading a file to a web app. Either way, you have plenty of options to choose from.

Talking about privacy, here is how you can remove recently opened files from folders from Quick Access menu in the File Explorer.