Windows does not display file extensions by default, but you can modify a single setting to force Windows to display the whole file extension for each file. This works with Windows 10 and Windows 11, as well as Windows Explorer in Windows 7 and Windows 8.
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Why You Should Show File Extensions
Each file has a file extension that informs Windows about the sort of file it is. File extensions are typically three or four digits in length, although they can be larger. Word documents, for example, have the.doc or.docx file extension. If you have a file named Example.docx, Windows recognizes it as a Word document and will launch Microsoft Word to open it.
There are several file extensions. Depending on the kind of audio file, audio files may contain file extensions such as.mp3,.aac,.wma,.flac,.ogg, or a variety of others. Common image file extensions include.jpeg,.png,.gif, and.heic.
It is beneficial for security to configure Windows to display file extensions. For example, the.exe file extension is one of many that Windows uses as a program. If you can’t see the extension of a file, it’s difficult to identify whether it’s a program, a safe document, or a media file at a look.
As an example, you may have a “document” file with the icon of your installed PDF reader. With file extensions obscured, there’s no easy way to identify if this is a valid PDF document or a malicious software masquerading as your PDF reader’s icon. If you had Windows set to show file extensions, you’d be able to tell whether a file with the name “document.pdf” is safe or a harmful file with the name “document.exe.” You could look at the file’s properties box for further information, but if you’ve enabled file extensions, you don’t need to.
How to Show File Extensions in Windows 11
The user interface for File Explorer in Windows 11 has changed significantly from Windows 10 and 11, yet the option to reveal file extensions is still easily available.
Along 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.
All file extensions in all folders will be displayed.
How to Show File Extensions in Windows 10 and 8
This option is easily available in Windows 10 File Explorer, and it is in the same location in Windows 8.
On the ribbon, select the “View” tab. To turn on or off file extensions, check the “File name extensions” box in the Show/hide section. This configuration will be remembered by File Explorer until you disable it in the future.
How to Show File Extensions in Windows 7
This option is a little more buried in the Folder Options panel in Windows 7.
To open it, click the “Organize” icon on Windows Explorer’s toolbar and then pick “Folder and search options.”
At the top of the Folder Options box, select the “View” tab. Under Advanced options, uncheck the “Hide extensions for recognized file types” selection. To alter your settings, click “OK.”
This settings window is also available in Windows 8, 10, and 11; simply select the “Options” button on the View toolbar. However, using the ribbon to swiftly toggle file extensions on or off is faster.
On any version of Windows, this window is also available through the Control Panel. Navigate to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Folder Options. On Windows 8, 10, and 11, it’s called “File Explorer Options.”
