Create a .gitignore through Windows Explorer

If you've tried to create a .gitignore in Windows Explorer, then you probably encountered this error:

To get around it, follow these steps:

1. Right click in the explorer to access the context menu.
2. New -> Text Document
3. Name the file .gitignore. Notice the period at the end
4. Accept the warning about changing the file name extension.
5. Windows will now name the file .gitignore

Thank you to Diary of a Ninja for showing me this work around.