First and foremost I am not asking how to change the file extension (i.e writing over .jpeg with .png) The issue I have is that whenever a file extension is unknown (or if I delete the extension and leave it without one) it appears as YoutUbeAdBllocke (image provided). Now I am fairly certain I do not have malware and that it is a remnant of a day several months ago when i did have malware. Not that it does any harm, but it is extremely annoying to see it appear. My best guess is that I could probably find it if i use regedit but I’m not exactly sure how to fix it if its fixable. Help please and thank you
First off, what you’re describing isn’t changing the file type, it’s defining what program opens the file by default. If you’re using Windows, when you double click on a file the extension is the only way Windows know which program to use. You can go into Folder Options in My Computer and change the default program, but it changes it for all files with the same extension. You might be able to do it in Regedit, but it would take longer and have a greater chance of screwing things up. On Macs you can change which program opens it for individual files by going to Get Info and changing the program under Open with.
Personally, I think opening documents by double clicking them is a Very Bad Idea™. It can lead to all kinds of unexpected/unintended behavior. It’s safer to open the application first, then open the document from the app’s File menu, either that or right click on the file and choose Open With.
For future reference I am using windows 7. I shouldve mentioned it beforehand.
I couldn’t find anything within the folder options that does what you describe.
Essentially what I am trying to do is remove the phrase “youtubeadbllocke” from my computer which I can find whenever the file itself doesn’t have an application. It appears pretty often and its really annoying. Here are some examples of when it pops up. If you can instruct me on how to remove it via regedit, or can direct me on any literature on how to remove it it would be appreciated.
Here’s a page that shows how to change the text that appears as the File Type Description for file extensions by editing the registry in Windows 7:
I’m not sure how to change it in your case where there is no extension, but perhaps searching in this area of the registry for Youtubeadblocke and find where that text appears in the registry is the way to go.
Maybe this will get you started, anyway.
And of course, you should back up your registry before messing with it.
Also, this page:
talks about how to associate an application with files without extensions; I know you don’t want to create an association, necessarily, but maybe this page, which describes creating a new key in the registry, combined with the information in my previous link, will help.
I wonder if, since you already have a File Type Description for files without extensions, the “.” created in the registry in this link is maybe already there in your registry.
Woo! Thank you @yearofglad
That actually fixed my issue. Apparently I did have the “.” file. For the most part its fixed.
I just went control+f and deleted the phrase wherever I saw it, which worked well with no consequence .
Glad I could help! And I learned something along the way.