Make File Extensions Visible

A file extension is the characters after the last dot (period in non-computerese) in a file name. Unfortunately, Microsoft thinks that this is not necessary because everyone can match an icon with a file type. For those of us who prefer words, it is possible to make file listings show extensions.

The default in Windows is to not show file extensions. To change this:

Windows 98

  1. Open Windows Explorer by RIGHT clicking on the Start button and selecting "Explore."
  2. Click on View (Menu Line).
  3. Click on Folder options from the drop down menu.
  4. Click on the View tab in the window that appears.
  5. Uncheck "Hide File Extensions" for known file types.
  6. Click "Apply."
  7. Click "OK."
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Windows XP

  1. Click Start and then click the Control Panel
  2. Click Appearances and Themes and then Folder Options
  3. Click on View on the folder options menu
  4. Uncheck "Hide File Extensions for Known File Types"
  5. Click OK
  6. Close the Control Panel by clicking on the bright red X in the upper right corner.

 

Vista

  1. Click Start and then the Control Panel
  2. Select Folder Options
  3. Click the View Tab
  4. Unclick "Hide File Extensions for Known File Types"
  5. Click OK

Created April 22, 2009

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