Essential Software and File Types: A Comprehensive List

Posted on Feb 4, 2025 in Computers

Essential Software and File Extensions

.exe: Short for “executable,” it tells the operating system to run the program. Most Windows desktop programs use this extension.
.msi: For installation and removal of software within Windows. Opening an .msi file actually launches msiexec.exe, which reads the .msi file and does what it says. .msi files use Windows Installer, so think of it as standing for “Microsoft Installation.”
.app: Executes a program within OS X (as .exe does in Windows).
.bat: Batch file. Used to execute multiple commands from the Windows command prompt (cmd.exe) within one file.
.scexe: Self-extracting firmware updates that Hewlett-Packard (HP) produces, commonly associated with Linux machines.

Word Processing: Used to create everything from simple letters or resumes to detailed reports and flyers.
Spreadsheets: Used to manage numbers and small quantities of data.
Email Software: Used to send and receive messages, manage contacts and calendars, assign yourself tasks and deadlines, and give reminders.
Basic Database: Contains data in a logical structure.
PDF Viewer: Used to read .pdf files.
PDF Creator: Used to create .pdf files.
Presentation Software: Designed to help you convey a message to a group of people by letting you put ideas down in slides and then share a full-screen slide show from your computer.
Desktop Publishing Software: Used to make books, magazines, pamphlets, and flyers.
Personal Information Manager: Used to organize personal information.
Remote Desktop Software: Allows you to work on a remote computer just as if you were sitting at it and give someone else the ability to control your computer.

.txt: Basic text file. Almost all word processors will open this.
.rtf: Rich Text Format. A fairly basic document format developed by Microsoft and generally more compatible than .doc files.
.doc/.docx: Microsoft Word files. .docx files are newer and support more features than older .doc files.
.xls/.xlsx: Microsoft Excel files.
.ppt/.pptx: PowerPoint files.
.pdf: Document files.

.jpg: Called a JPEG, and sometimes you will see files with a .jpeg extension. The JPEG standard defines how images are compressed and stored. Very commonly used by digital cameras.
.gif: Pronounced with a hard “g” like the word “go,” it stands for Graphics Interchange Format. Uses a different compression standard than JPEG. Commonly used on websites.
.tiff: Pronounced like a word and sometimes as .tif. Stands for Tagged Image File Format. Uses lossless compression, which preserves better image quality than JPEG or GIF.
.png: Portable Network Graphics. Designed as a lossless compression format to replace GIF. Very common on websites.
.bmp: Short for bitmap. One of the oldest and simplest image formats, usually for lower-quality pictures.

Online Workspace: Multiple people can collaborate on the same file at the same time.
Document Storage and Sharing: Cloud-based storage services let you store and share documents online.
Screen-Sharing Software: Shares the contents of your screen with others.
Videoconferencing Software: Used to make calls to remote locations using your computer.
Instant Messaging Software: Used to send a text note to another user in real-time.

Anti-Malware Software: Monitors activities on your computer for any activities that appear suspicious.
Software Firewall: Software solution that serves as your network guard.
Diagnostic and Maintenance Software: Used to diagnose and maintain your computer’s health.