Guide to displaying file extensions under Windows


How do I display file extensions?


By default, Windows stops users from viewing file extensions that have an associated program, but there are many occasions when we need to view a file's extension.


Luckily, it's an easy process and the setting can be changed in a few clicks of the mouse.


Step 1


Open 'My Computer' or 'Windows Explorer' and select the 'Tools' item from the top menu bar and select 'Folder Options…' (fig a)


show file extensions - fig a

Step 2


A new window should appear ('Folder Options…'). Click the 'View' tab from the top menu (fig b)


show file extensions - fig b

Step 3


In the 'View' section, around half-way down the list of options, un-check the 'Hide extensions for known file types' option (fig c)


show file extensions - fig c


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