How to look at files in the Windows Explorer

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems in Forest Resources

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What is a file extension? There are 3 parts to a file name, the path, the basename, and the extension. For the file d:\projects\animalmovements.apr, the path is d:\projects, the basename is animalmovements, and the extension is apr.

The default installation of the Windows Explorer hides file extensions for known file types. This means that you may have a number of files with unique basenames, but different file extensions. Consider this case:

How can you tell what the file is? They are all called habitat.

The first thing you should do once you are logged onto a Windows computer is to change that behavior so you can be sure what your files are really called.

From the Windows Explorer menu, select Tools > Folder Options and then click the View tab. UNcheck the box for Hide extensions for known file types and click OK.

Now things look like they should:

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