How To Show File Extensions In Windows

File Extension is that which identifies the file type. If y'all are a regular Windows user, and so it is not at all a problem to identify the file type. For it is very important to see file extension to identify the type of file yous are trying to open from a security point of view. Then in this post, nosotros will see how to hide or evidence File Extensions in Windows 11/10/8/7 and why you should prove them.

Since file names allow you to use multiple full stops, the real name of a malware file could exist realword.docx.exe . But because you lot have not set Windows to show file extensions, you lot would come across only realword.docx . Thinking it'south a Word document, yous could well end upwards clicking on it and infecting your estimator. If you had, on the other mitt, set your PC to testify file extensions, you would run across its full name – realword.docx.exe , which would help you lot to identify that information technology was actually an executable file and in all probability a malware file. This will thus help you tell if a file is malicious or not.

What are File Extensions & how are they useful

Different file types take different extensions. Audio files have .mp3, .wav, .wma, and more than based on the program used to open that file. File extensions also help the operating system to identify the corresponding programme to open that detail file. So, you should be able to see file extensions to exist at the safer side, and we will let you lot know how to enable options to see file extensions in Windows.

Files without Extensions

Every bit mentioned earlier, by default Windows does not prove file extensions and they are subconscious. Only, you tin can toggle the option to meet them.

Show File Extensions in Windows 11/10

In that location are five ways how you can go about accessing this setting:

Through the File Explorer Options
Through Windows Explorer Ribbon
Using the Registry
Using Command Prompt
Using Group Policy Editor.

ane] Through Folder or File Explorer Options

To Show File Extensions in Windows 11/10 via File Explorer Options, follow these steps:

Open Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization.
At present, click on Folder Options or File Explorer Choice, equally information technology is now called
Select the View tab.
In this tab, under Advanced Settings, you will see the choice Hibernate extensions for known file types.
Uncheck this option
Click on Utilise and OK.

Windows 11/ten users may also search for File Explorer Options in Start search box and open this box.

show file extensions

Now, y'all can see file extensions for all files anywhere on your Windows system.

Files with Extensions

In Windows 11/10/8.1 Explorer, you tin can access File Explorer Options via Explorer.

Click View > Options > Change folder and search options.

Once here, you can practice the needful as explained in a higher place.

In Windows 7, open up Explorer, press Alt on your keyboard to make the Classic bar announced. Side by side, click on Tools > Binder Options. Now follow the steps mentioned in a higher place.

These are very simple steps to follow, and you exercise not need any third-party software to view file extensions. Windows provides us with everything which can be hands accomplished, and the indicate lies in knowing and implementing them. This is the first style to run across file extensions in Windows vii.

ii] Via Windows File Explorer

Show File Extensions in Windows 11

To bear witness File name extensions in Windows 11:

Open Explorer
Click on View in the top menu
Click on Prove next
Select File proper name extensions.

To testify File proper noun extensions in Windows 10, open Explorer and click on the View tab.

But select the File proper noun extensions checkbox, and y'all are all set.

3] Using the Registry Editor

Hitting the WINKEY + R button combination to launch the Run utility, type inregedit and hit Enter. One time Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following key-

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Look upwards for a DWORD entry labeled asHideFileExt.

Double click on the mentioned DWORD entry and ready its value as 0.This volition bear witness up the subconscious file extensions.

A value of0 will hibernate the file extensions.

Leave the Registry Editor and and then reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.

4] Utilize Windows Control Prompt

This fix can be used in both the scenarios mentioned above. Insert a bootable drive of Windows 11/ten installer.

Offset by hitting theWINKEY + Xcombinations and selectCommand Prompt (Admin)to launch Command Prompt with Ambassador Privileges.

Navigate to the root location of that bootable device inside the Command Prompt command line. In one case you get there, type in the following to testify the file extensions-

reg add together HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Avant-garde /five HideFileExt /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

And so hit Enter.

You tin also enter the following command to hide the file extensions,

reg add together HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Avant-garde /v HideFileExt /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

five] Using Group Policy Editor

You tin can also apply the Group Policy Editor and change the setting here:

User Configuration > Preferences > Control Console Settings > Binder Options.

Set "Prove hidden files and folders" and uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types".

Thus, you tin can set up your Windows to show file extensions in Windows 11/10/8.

Read: How to create a file without an Extension in Windows.

How do I evidence file type extensions in Windows 11/x?

To show the file blazon extension or file extension in Windows eleven/10, you need to open up the Folder Options console and remove the tick from the Hide extensions for known file types checkbox. At concluding, click the OK button to save the change. After that, you tin can find the file extensions of all the files you may have on your reckoner.

Read: How to open up a file with no extension in Windows.

How do I encounter all file extensions in Windows?

The process to see all file extensions in Windows 11/10 is the same as the above 1. That said, yous demand to remove the tick from the Hibernate extensions for known file types checkbox in the Folder Options window.

If you have anything to add, delight do share it with us through comments.

Show File Extensions in Windows 11