On your computer two files that are in the same folder cannot have the same name. How-ever, with the default settings in Windows you can have several files appear as if they have the same name. In reality they have a different extension. This is the last part of name that comes after the period and is usually two or three characters long which says what type file it is. If this is different, the files have different names.

There are a couple ways to determine what type of file it is or what the extension is.

First, you can look at the icon (the picture) beside the file, and if you know the different icons you will know the type of file. However most people don't know what each icon is used for.

Second, you could right click with your mouse on each file and choose properties and Windows will tell you the full name.

Third you can change the setting in Windows that hides extensions on most files. Here are directions for Windows Vista and Windows XP.

In Windows Vista you will click on Organize at the top of the window showing the files. Then choose Folder and Search Options. Now choose the second tab called View. Then, about the 10th line down uncheck the box beside Hide Extensions for Known File Types. Then click OK. Now all extensions will show, and you will see you do not have two files with exactly the same name in the same folder.

In Windows XP you will click on Tools in the menu bar at the top of the window showing the files. Then choose Folder Options. Now choose the second tab called View. Then about the 10th line down uncheck the box beside Hide Extensions for Known File Types. Then click OK. Now all extensions will show, and you will see you do not have two files with exactly the same name in the same folder.

Dwight Watt is a computer instructor at a technical college in northwest Georgia and also does com-puter work for businesses, individuals and organizations in the Swainsboro area. His webpage is www.dwightwatt.com.