By default, Windows does not reveal file extensions, but you can modify a single setting to have Windows always show you the whole file extension for each file. This works in both File Explorer and Windows Explorer on Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as Windows 7 and Windows 8.
Why Should File Extensions Be Displayed?
Each file has a file extension that identifies the file type to Windows. The length of a file extension is normally three or four digits, but it can be longer. Word documents, for example, have the.doc or.docx file extension. If a file is titled Example.docx, Windows recognizes it as a Word document and opens it in Microsoft Word.
There are numerous file extensions to choose from. Depending on the type of audio file, it may have a file extension like.mp3,.aac,.wma,.flac,.ogg, or a variety of other options. Jpeg, png, gif, and heic are some of the most prevalent picture file extensions.
It’s a good idea to make Windows disclose file extensions for security reasons. The.exe file extension, for example, is one of many that Windows uses to run programs. It’s difficult to discern whether a file is a program, a safe document, or a media file at a glance if you can’t see the extension.
For example, you might have a file named “document” with the icon of your PDF reader installed. With file extensions obscured, it’s impossible to know if this is a real PDF document or malicious software masquerading as your PDF reader’s icon. If you set Windows to show file extensions, you’ll be able to tell if a file with the name “document.pdf” is safe or whether it’s a harmful file with the name “document.exe.” You could check the file’s properties box for further information, but if you’ve enabled file extensions, you won’t have to.
In Windows 11, how do I see what file extensions I have?
Although the user interface for File Explorer has changed significantly between Windows 10 and 11, the option to reveal file extensions is still available.
At the top of the File Explorer window, select the “View” tab. Click “File Name Extensions” in the sub-menu after hovering over “Show” at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
For all files in all directories, file extensions will be visible.
How to Make File Extensions Visible in Windows 10 and Windows 8?
On Windows 10, this option is easily available in File Explorer, and on Windows 8, it’s in the same location.
On the ribbon, select the “View” tab. Toggle file extensions on or off by activating the “File name extensions” box in the Show/hide section. This configuration will be remembered in File Explorer until you disable it in the future.
How to Make File Extensions Visible in Windows 10 and Windows 8
On Windows 10, this option is easily available in File Explorer, and on Windows 8, it’s in the same location.
On the ribbon, select the “View” tab. Toggle file extensions on or off by activating the “File name extensions” box in the Show/hide section. This configuration will be remembered in File Explorer until you disable it in the future.
At the top of the Folder Options box, select the “View” tab. Under Advanced settings, uncheck the “Hide extensions for known file types” selection. To update your settings, click “OK.”
On Windows 8, 10, and 11, simply select the “Options” button on the View toolbar to open this options box. However, using the ribbon to turn on or off file extensions is faster.
On any version of Windows, this window can also be accessed through the Control Panel. Go to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Folder Options to change your folder options. Instead, it’s called “File Explorer Options” on Windows 8, 10, and 11.