If You Change a File Name Extension, It May Become Unusable [Fix]

Unchecking File name and extension on File Explorer is effective

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

When you edit a file title in Windows, a dialog window might open stating that the file may become unusable. The dialog box window more specifically states,If you change a file name extension, the file may become unusable.

That dialog box pops up when File (or Windows) Explorer is configured to show file extensions. If you change the extension in a file title, you’ll modify its format. You can edit file titles without that dialog box popping up.

What happens if you rename a file extension?

There are a few things you may expect, including:

You may read our other extensive guide onchanging a file type on your Windowsdevices.

How do I fix the If you change a filename extension error?

1. Deselect the file name extensions check box in File Explorer

2. Select the Hide extensions for known file types Option

3. Don’t edit the file’s extension

Note that you don’t need to deselect theFile name extensionsoption to change file titles without the Rename dialog window opening. The Rename dialog box only opens if you alter the file’s format in any way. So don’t change the format at the end of the file title.

Never delete a file format without replacing it with an alternative extension. Then the file will have no format at all! A new format must also be compatible with the file. For example, a JPG format is not much good for a DOC Word document.

4. Set up an AutoHotkey Script that automatically selects yes on the rename dialog box

5. Add File Extension Changer to Windows

So removing the Rename dialog box is straightforward if you don’t need to change a file’s format. You may want to check out our other guide, where we highlight some of the best ways tochange file extensions on Windows 10.

Lastly. if you have any questions, please let us know using the comment section below.

If You Change a File Name Extension, It May Become Unusable [Fix]#

What happens if you rename a file extension?#

How do I fix the If you change a filename extension error?#

1. Deselect the file name extensions check box in File Explorer#

2. Select the Hide extensions for known file types Option#

3. Don’t edit the file’s extension#

4. Set up an AutoHotkey Script that automatically selects yes on the rename dialog box#

5. Add File Extension Changer to Windows#