How to show file extensions in Windows
In the Windows operating system, at default settings, extensions for registered file types are hidden. Therefore, it often becomes necessary to find out what extension a file has.
Windows does not display registered file types, the user only sees the file name. These are the most file types in the operating system.
In order to get information about what extension a given file has in Windows, you need to right-click on the file. In the context menu, select “Properties”. In the “Properties” window that opens, in the “General” tab, the user will see the file type.
The icons of some files in Windows may look similar to each other, so enabling the display of file types makes sense for two reasons: for convenience and for security purposes.
Many antiviruses recommend displaying file extensions for greater security, as viruses can use harmless file icons. The user sees a familiar file type, runs it, and that file has a completely different extension.
For example, files with the extension “.torrent” and “torrent.exe” are often found on the Internet. Externally, the icons are very similar. Therefore, after launching such a file, an inexperienced user runs the risk of downloading to his computer something completely different from what he was going to download (movie, game, program, etc.). If the file extensions were displayed in the system, then it would be immediately obvious that the file with the “.exe” extension is disguised as a different file type.
You can enable the display of file extensions in the operating system using several methods: the first method is universal for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, the second method works separately in Windows 7 and separately in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8.
How to show the extension of registered file types in Windows
Let’s see how you can enable the display of file extensions in the Windows operating system in a universal way. All actions are similar in Windows 7 or Windows 8. In Windows 10, the procedure is the same, there is only a different name for the settings parameter.
Enter the “Control Panel” (view mode “small icons”), select “Folder Options”. In Windows 10, in the “Control Panel” the setting is called “Explorer Options”, otherwise everything is the same.
In the Folder Options window, click the View tab. Uncheck the box next to “Hide extensions for known file types”. Then click on the “OK” button.
After that, in the operating system Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, file extensions of all types will be visible.
How to show file extensions in Windows 7
Another way in Windows 7 is to enter Folder Options from the Explorer window. Open File Explorer, click on “Organize”, in the context menu select “Folder and Search Options”.
Next, follow the same steps as described above in the Folder Options folder. After applying the settings, the user will see file extensions in the operating system.
How to show file extensions in Windows 10 and Windows 8
On Windows 10 and Windows 8 operating systems, you can quickly access the folder view settings from the Explorer window. In File Explorer, go to the “View” tab, click on the “Options” button, and then on “Change folder and search options”.
In the Folder Options window, uncheck the box next to Hide extensions for known file types. To confirm the setting change, press the OK button.
Now all files in Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 will have a visible file extension.
Article Conclusions
By default, Windows hides extensions for registered file types. The user can enable the display of file extensions in the Windows operating system in several ways.