Cannot rename files with url extension

[wrmwnds]

The strange thing is, I was able to do it 1 time. I dragged a web address off and Windows created a shortcut. I was able to change the extension to .txt. The icon changed to that for a text file, and I could open the file and read it.

Since then, though, the url extension does not show up. If I select Rename and add .txt to the part of the filename showing, it evidently retains the url extension after the .txt extension because the icon doesn't change to the one for a text file, I'm not allowed to edit it, and selecting open results in it opening the web page - i.e., acting like it is still a .url file.

I have checked Tools -> View many times and the box for hiding common extensions is unchecked so that is not the problem.

Any ideas?

 

[zigzag3143]

Um, right click the shortcut, url, or whatever and use open with..... use notepad.

 

[wrmwnds]

Zigzag,
Thanks - I would have done that if the option was available. But the 'Open With' option is not available, just 'Open' which executes (opens the web page).

 

[wanchoo]

Normally the "Open With" option if not there, comes if one Shift+Right Click. Otherwise you can open Notepad and then browse your way to the .url file to open it.

 

[wrmwnds]

Thanks, wanchoo. Yes I can open the file in Notepad and save it with the txt extension. It would be much faster to be able to rename the file. Does anyone know how to get the OS to display the extension and allow it to be changed?

 

[zigzag3143]

Thanks, wanchoo. Yes I can open the file in Notepad and save it with the txt extension. It would be much faster to be able to rename the file. Does anyone know how to get the OS to display the extension and allow it to be changed?

Sure
Go into cpanel>folder options>view>Uncheck hide extensions.

 

[wanchoo]

This seems peculiar. Because when I checked on a few of my URLs the "Open With" option was there.

Zigzag,
Thanks - I would have done that if the option was available. But the 'Open With' option is not available, just 'Open' which executes (opens the web page).

 

[wrmwnds]

Zigzag,

If you check my original message, I mention there that I already investigated, and that box is unchecked.

From original message:

I have checked Tools -> View many times and the box for hiding common extensions is unchecked so that is not the problem.

Wanchoo,

I don't know what to tell you, but 'Open With' is not there on my computer. It also does not show up with Shift Right Click.The reason may be related to why I can't change the extension.

But instead of trying to find a way around the problem, I wish we could stick to the problem - what could be causing the url extension to not show up and how to fix it. Besides the inconvenience and extra time, there are other reasons to want to change the etension - e.g. other people's emails will not let them receive files with url extensions.