Show or hide file extensions in Windows Explorer

A file extension determines which program should open the file. It is the last part of the file name separated from the main file name by a dot.

A. Windows 8.1 has the following choices for showing or hiding file extensions

1. From the Ribbon interface

• Open windows explorer
• Click View in the top menu
• Check or uncheck the File name extensions checkbox according to if you would like to show or hide file extensions

2. From the Control Panel

• Open the Control Panel
• Click the Folder Option icon. If you could not find the Folder Options icon, type Folder Options in the search field located at the upper right corner
• Click to open the View tab
• Check or uncheck the Hide file extensions for known file types according to if you would like to hide or show file extensions
• Click OK

B. Windows 7 and Vista

• Open windows explorer
• Click Organize on the top menu and choose Folder and search options
• Select the View tab
• Check or uncheck the Hide file extensions for known file types according to if you would like to hide or show file extensions
• Click OK

C. Windows 2000 and XP

• Open windows explorer
• Click Tools on the top menu, choose Folder Options, and then choose Folder and search options.
• Select the View tab
• Check or uncheck the Hide file extensions for known file types according to if you would like to hide or show file extensions
• Click OK

D. For all Windows

From the Registry editor, you can force windows explorer to show file extensions for a specific file type (e.g. the .exe file type)

• Press Win+R keys on the keyboard, and type msconfig in the search field, then press Enter
• Select the Tools tab in the pop up window
• Select Registry Editor and then press the Launch button. (Alternatively you can launch the registry editor by typing regedit in the search field at the first step.)
• Find the entry HKEY_CLASSWS_ROOT\.exe on the left side of the window, click on it and read on the right side of the window that it is a type of exefile, that is its ProgID is exefile
• Find the entry HKEY_CLASSWS_ROOT\exefile on the left side of the window, click on it.
• Right click on the right side of the window to create a new String Value, AlwaysShowExt or NeverShowExt.
• Sign out your system and sign in again. The setting is now effective

References:

1. How to show or hide file extensions in Windows 8.1
2. How to show or hide file name extensions in Windows Explorer

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