Share via

How to identify what the correct file extension should be for a file that does not have one

Anonymous
2015-07-25T02:14:16+00:00

Hi all 

Was moving music and photos from my phone to SD card from Windows 7 laptop.

However for some unknown reason when files were being moved on the phone itself, the files in question have lost their file extensions and file associations and unsure on how to find out what the correct file extension should be used.

For example these files were added into a LOST.DIR on my phone and luckily was able to get some music back but took a while to manually type the file extension on over 500 files. Only got 200 changed back to mp3 as an example.

In file type column Type would just show as File and nothing else

Therefore here is what I am left with. I am not sure if it is an Android issue or a Windows issue.

Need Help. Would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2015-07-25T15:44:47+00:00

    Once a file has its extension erased, it is a guessing game as to what the format of the file is.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-07-27T19:20:21+00:00

    I did a quick search using words: dectect file type.   This software came up:  http://mark0.net/soft-tridnet-e.html

    You also have the option of uploading a file to an online version of the software:  http://mark0.net/onlinetrid.aspx

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-07-25T19:47:30+00:00

    thought as much. Spent a few hours trying that guessing game and got fed up. Just going to have  to go down the data recovery route and if that doesn't work just have fun building up the library. About 1gb of photos and 6gb of music. But hey live and learn next time I won't rely on the file system on android to copy and paste lol

    0 comments No comments