What is the default extension for files moved to the Recycle Bin in systems prior to Windows Vista?

The correct answer is that files moved to the Recycle Bin in systems prior to Windows Vista retain their original file extension. This means that if a user moves a text file to the Recycle Bin, for instance, it will still be a .txt file while located in the Recycle Bin. This behavior ensures that the files are easily recognizable by their original extensions, allowing users to identify the type of files they may want to recover from the Recycle Bin later.

In contrast, the other options listed do not accurately represent standard file types associated with the Recycle Bin. The .bak extension typically indicates a backup file, .xml is associated with Extensible Markup Language files often used for data storage and transfer, and .tmp represents temporary files usually created by applications for various purposes. None of these options are applicable to the Recycle Bin’s functionality regarding the preservation of original file extensions.