Get Windows to treat files with the same extension differently

One of the most common tasks for an IT administrator is to find ways to make sure that files of the same type are treated differently. This can be especially important in situations where different versions of the same file type need to be used or when specific files need to be treated differently from others of the same type. Fortunately, Windows has a few built-in features that allow IT administrators to do this.

The first way to get Windows to treat files with the same extension differently is to use file associations. File associations are used to tell Windows which program should open a file when it is double-clicked or opened from the Start menu. By creating custom file associations for different versions of the same file type, an IT administrator can make sure that the desired program opens when a certain version of the file is opened. This can be done through the Windows Control Panel by selecting the “Default Programs” option.

The second way to get Windows to treat files with the same extension differently is to change the default icon associated with a file type. The default icon is the image that appears in File Explorer and other places when a file of a certain type is opened. By changing the icon associated with a file type, an IT administrator can make sure that different versions of the same file type are easily distinguishable. This can be done by right-clicking on the file type in File Explorer and selecting the “Change Icon” option.

The third way to get Windows to treat files with the same extension differently is to use the folder options feature. This feature allows an IT administrator to customize how Windows displays different types of files in File Explorer. By selecting the “Show Hidden Files and Folders” option in the folder options window, an IT administrator can make sure that different versions of the same file type are easily distinguishable. This can be particularly useful for situations where different versions of the same file type need to be used.

Finally, an IT administrator can also use the file attributes feature to get Windows to treat files with the same extension differently. This feature allows an IT administrator to set different attributes for different types of files. This can be particularly useful for situations where different versions of the same file type need to be used. By setting different attributes for different versions of the same file type, an IT administrator can make sure that the desired version of the file is used when the file is opened. This can be done through the file properties window in Windows by selecting the “Advanced” tab.

By using these four methods, an IT administrator can easily get Windows to treat files with the same extension differently. This can be especially useful in situations where different versions of the same file type need to be used or when specific files need to be treated differently from others of the same type. By taking advantage of the features built into Windows, an IT administrator can ensure that the desired version of a file is opened and that different versions of the same file type are easily distinguishable.