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| Normally, I would
not recommend having a beginner do anything with the settings of your
CPU. However, you need to know how file types influence the
operation. A File Extension
is the ending of a file name like ".doc". This name extension
designates the type of file it is. Windows will then
analyze the file extension and go to the register to find what default
program this file will run in. You can open a file by double clicking the selected
file in Windows Explorer or in the "Find" mode as well as
right click mouse to get to menu then select "Open". Windows will then open the program and
then display your file that you clicked to open. It happens so quick
that you think the file is the program. It's not! When you install a program it
tries to automatically makes their file extensions
the default. To find out which program opens a file type, go to
"Start" button, Select "Settings", Select
"Folder Options" |
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| When
you click on "Folder Options" (above) this window or image will
appear. |
Notice
there are 3 tabs across the top of the form. We are only concerned
with tab 3 "File Types"
Note that Microsoft Word Document is highlighted. At the
bottom it indicates the file extension associated with Word
documents is "DOC". The application it will run in is
"Winword" which is the name of MS Word
application. Any file in Windows with the extension
".doc" will open Winword first and then the file if you
use a shortcut to open or double click the file while in
"Windows Explorer" or "Find". You can
open this file with other compatible programs but you will need to
open the application first and select open and then find the file
you want to open while in that application.
This default
setting is established when you install an application. If you
want to change the default setting to open a particular
application, you change it here with the "Edit" button.
Beginners should have an experience person edit the settings or
you may get unexpected results.
Scroll bar will
allow you to view default setting of all your applications on your
CPU and their associated extensions. |
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| The
understanding of file types is necessary to understand how you can
convert or transfer data from one program to another that isn't
normally compatible by using a computer for speed and efficiency
that eliminates manual entry. |
In
Windows 95:
Open "Windows Explorer", select "View" menu,
select "Options", select "File Types". Similar
to above. |
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| We have seen a basic use
of the Find utility for Windows Explorer |
Let's continue with File Types from
another perspective.
Next
Lesson |
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