Changing file extentions

I was able to do this up to Windows ME by just right clicking on an icon or file
but I can't figure out how to do it in XP. I've only been using XP for a couple of weeks.

Is there some setting in the folder options that is preventing me from renaming file extentions?

The reason is I downloaded some songs from Itunes and they are in MP4 format. Trouble is all my devices/car stereos just play MP3s or CD audio format.

I found if I burn the MP4 to a CD in audio format using Itunes, then "rip" it back to the hard drive using Windows Media player into a WMA file, I can use this program called Xilisoft WMA MP3 Converter to convert that to an MP3.

So it's like MP4 --> CDA --> WMA --> MP3

This seems like allot of work but I'm wondering if just changing the extention from MP4 to MP3 would work just the same.

I heard that an MP4s is nothing more than an MP3 that contains copyright information that prevents you from playing it on another computer. I don't know anything about MP4s or how they work. I don't have any plans on buying an Ipod.

I do know that my method seems to strip the copyright information off it. I've transfered these songs to a flashdrive and it will play on an FM transmitter device I plug in my cig lighter. I haven't tried playing them directly from a CD on my other cars with MP3 car stereos.

 

Right clicking should give you a rename option.

But changing a file extension doesn't change the format.
Ie: You can change an EXE extension to TXT, but it is still (internally) an EXE file.

So, I doubt if changing it to an MP3 will allow it to play correctly.

 

WhitPhils right. Renaming the file won't get you what you want. The way you're doing it now is the only way I know of to do what you want. But, you could save yourself a step and thus also some quality loss buy using a program that will rip the songs from the cd directly to mp3 format. CDex is an excellent program for this. Have a look and see what you think. It's still not ideal but at least you can eliminate the step of having to convert them from wma to mp3. It's freeware and contains no adware of any type.

 

it also sounds like u'r using xp's default of 'hide extentions of known filetypes' which u can uncheck in explorer's tools/folderoptions/view tab so that u CAN see them.

it's one of the MS default choices that i just can't fathom short of the Mac Mimic they seem to be trying to achieve

 

jseabolt--Perhaps of help
http://www.google.com/search?source...GLD,GGLD:2004-31,GGLD:en&q=convert+mp4+to+mp3