A file extension is the set of three letters that come after the period in a file name and tell you what type of file you’re dealing with. For example, the file extension in FILENAME.DOC tells you that it is a document file for Word or another word processing program. The extension in FILENAME.EXE tells you that it is an “executable” file for a program. For example, PocketTV.exe is the main program file for the MPEG video player Pocket TV.

The File Explorer program built into the Pocket PC does not display file extensions. Instead, it displays an icon indicating the type of file you are dealing with. This is fine for most file types, but you may occasionally run into a file type that File Explorer does not recognize. In that case File Explorer will display a generic icon indicating that it does not recognize the file type. There are two ways to see the file extension.

The first ways are free. Connect your Pocket PC to your desktop PC via ActiveSync and then, from the ActiveSync screen on your desktop PC, click on the Explore option. This launches the desktop PC’s File Explorer application, which will display a list of drives you can access. Click on the “Mobile Device” drive to display the files on your Pocket PC. If the file extensions are not displaying in, click on the Tools menu and select the Folder Options from the drop-down menu. Go to the View tab and make sure you un-check the box labeled “Hide extensions for known file types.” Tap on OK and the file extensions should display on your desktop PC.

Or, you can install Total Commander (www.ghisler.com), which displays file extensions on your Pocket PC. It’s freeware (though you have to pay for the PC (desktop) shareware version after 30 days.
The second way lets you view file extensions on your Pocket PC, but will cost you a little. Purchase and install one of the third-party file explorers that will display file extensions. The following are available for both the Pocket PC and Smartphone: Resco Explorer (www.resco.net), and ALL-Explorer ( www.all-locations.com).