How to Change a TXT File to CFG in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever downloaded a guide for a game or application that told you to “edit the CFG file,” only to realize you only had a .txt version? Don’t worry — you’re not alone.

Windows 11 hides file extensions by default, which is why renaming a text file to .cfg isn’t as obvious as just typing a new name. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to change a TXT file to CFG in Windows 11, step by step — using multiple methods.

Whether you’re tweaking a video game’s graphics settings or modifying software configuration, this guide has you covered.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways (Quick Summary)

A .cfg file (Configuration file) stores settings for apps or games.
You can easily rename a .txt file to .cfg in Windows 11, but you need to enable file extensions first.
Windows offers multiple ways to change file extensions: File Explorer, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Save As in Notepad.
Always create a backup copy before renaming to avoid losing your data.

What Is a CFG File?

A CFG (Configuration) file is a plain text file that stores settings for software, games, or operating systems.

Format: Plain text (readable in Notepad or any editor).
Use cases: Game settings, app preferences, server configs, etc.
Example: A Minecraft CFG might define graphics settings like brightness or chunk loading.

So, when you convert a .txt file to .cfg, you’re essentially telling Windows (and the program) that this text file should be treated as a configuration file.

Why Change a TXT File to CFG in Windows 11?

Here are common reasons why you’d need this change:

Game mods: Many mods use .cfg files for settings.
Software tweaks: Apps often store user preferences in .cfg format.
System administration: Certain Windows tools and servers rely on config files.

If you leave it as .txt, the program may not recognize it, even if the contents are correct.

Method 1: Change TXT to CFG Using File Explorer

This is the simplest method — but first, you must enable file extensions.

Step 1: Show File Extensions in Windows 11

Open File Explorer (Win + E).
Go to the top menu and click View > Show > File name extensions.
You’ll now see file extensions like .txt, .jpg, .docx after filenames.

Step 2: Rename the TXT File

Locate your .txt file.
Right-click → select Rename.
Change filename.txt to filename.cfg.
Press Enter.
If prompted with “Are you sure you want to change the file extension?” → Click Yes.

✅ Done! Your file is now a .cfg file.

Method 2: Change TXT to CFG Using Notepad’s “Save As”

If you prefer creating a new file instead of renaming:

Right-click your .txt file → choose Open with > Notepad.
Click File > Save As.
In the “Save as type” dropdown, choose All Files (.).
In the filename box, type:

config.cfg
Select UTF-8 encoding (if required).
Save it to your desired location.

Now you have both the original .txt and a new .cfg file.

Method 3: Change TXT to CFG Using Command Prompt

For command-line lovers:

Press Win + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
Navigate to the file’s folder using:

cd path\to\your\folder
Run the rename command:

ren filename.txt filename.cfg

Your file extension is now updated.

Method 4: Change TXT to CFG Using PowerShell

PowerShell is another quick option:

Press Win + X → select Windows Terminal (Admin).
Navigate to your file location:

cd "C:\Users\YourName\Documents"
Run:

Rename-Item "file.txt" "file.cfg"

This instantly renames the file.

Method 5: Use “Save As” in Other Editors (Optional)

You can also use Notepad++, Visual Studio Code, or Sublime Text to save .txt as .cfg.

Steps are almost the same as Notepad’s “Save As” — just choose All files and type .cfg as the extension.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Renaming TXT to CFG

Forgetting to enable file extensions → You may end up with file.cfg.txt.
Using the wrong encoding → Some programs need ANSI or UTF-8 specifically.
Typos in the extension → Make sure it’s exactly .cfg, not .cfig or .cfq.
Overwriting accidentally → Always keep a backup of the original .txt.

Comparison: Best Methods for Different Users

Method	Best For	Difficulty	Safety
File Explorer Rename	Quick change	Easy	Safe
Notepad Save As	Creating a copy	Easy	Very safe
Command Prompt	Power users	Medium	Safe
PowerShell	Admins/IT users	Medium	Safe
Editors (Notepad++ etc.)	Coders/advanced edits	Medium	Very safe

Pro Tips for Working with CFG Files

Backup before editing – A bad config can break an app.
Use Notepad++ – Easier formatting, line numbers, and syntax highlighting.
Check documentation – Many apps require specific syntax in .cfg.
Don’t change extensions randomly – Only convert if the target program expects .cfg.

Troubleshooting: File Won’t Change to CFG?

If renaming doesn’t work:

Check if extensions are hidden → Enable “File name extensions.”
Confirm the file is text-based → CFG files must be plain text.
App doesn’t recognize it → The content might not match what the app expects.
Windows shows double extensions → Example: file.cfg.txt. Delete the extra .txt.

Conclusion

Changing a .txt file to .cfg in Windows 11 is straightforward once you know how to reveal file extensions.

Beginners: Use File Explorer rename or Notepad Save As.
Advanced users: Use Command Prompt or PowerShell.
Always keep backups and make sure your CFG syntax is correct for the app or game.

Now that you know how to do it, you can safely tweak configurations for games, apps, and tools like a pro.

FAQs

1. What program opens CFG files in Windows 11?
Any text editor like Notepad or Notepad++ can open CFG files.

2. Can I just change the extension from TXT to CFG?
Yes — as long as the file is plain text and the program expects .cfg.

3. Why does my file still show as TXT after renaming?
Extensions might be hidden. Enable File name extensions in File Explorer.

4. Will changing TXT to CFG damage my file?
No, but if the syntax inside is wrong, the program using it may not work correctly.

5. Can I convert multiple TXT files to CFG at once?
Yes, use a batch rename command in Command Prompt or PowerShell to automate it.