{"id":106005,"date":"2024-11-13T06:00:31","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T11:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pureinfotech.com\/?p=106005"},"modified":"2024-11-13T11:43:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T16:43:07","slug":"show-file-extensions-windows-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pureinfotech.com\/show-file-extensions-windows-10\/","title":{"rendered":"How to show file extensions on Windows 10"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"sum\">\n<li>To show file extensions on Windows 10, open File Explorer, click <strong>&#8220;View,&#8221;<\/strong> and check\u00a0the <strong>&#8220;File name extensions&#8221;<\/strong> option. Or open <strong>&#8220;Folder Options&#8221;<\/strong> and clear the <strong>&#8220;Hide extensions for known file types&#8221;<\/strong> option.<\/li>\n<li>Alternatively, you can enable this feature from the Settings app or by using Command Prompt or PowerShell.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>UPDATED 11\/13\/24:<\/strong> On <a href=\"https:\/\/pureinfotech.com\/tag\/windows-10\">Windows 10<\/a>, a file extension refers to the three or four letters after the period at the end of the filename, which indicates the format type (such as <code>.txt<\/code>, <code>.docx<\/code>, or <code>.pdf<\/code>).<\/p>\n<p>While not strictly necessary for file functionality, extensions offer several benefits.\u00a0For example, they provide a quick way to identify a file&#8217;s format, making selecting the right program to open it easier. In addition, they give you an easier way to modify compatible file types. For instance, you can change a <code>.txt<\/code> file to a <code>.bat<\/code> file for scripting purposes.<\/p>\n<p>The only caveat is that File Explorer doesn&#8217;t show extensions by default since it adds unnecessary visual clutter, helps to prevent mistakes that can make the file inaccessible, and improves security. However, showing extensions can also make the experience of working files a little easier.<\/p>\n<p>In this <a href=\"https:\/\/pureinfotech.com\/tag\/how-to\/\">guide<\/a>, I will teach you the steps to show extensions for files while using File Explorer on Windows 10.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"toc\">\n<li><a href=\"#show_extensions_explorer\">Show file extensions on Windows 10 from File Explorer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#show_extensions_settings\">Show file extensions on Windows 10 from Settings<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#show_extensions_cmd\">Show file extensions on Windows 10 from Command Prompt<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"tip-box\"><span><strong>Warning:<\/strong> If you use the Command Prompt methods, note that modifying the Registry can cause serious problems if not used properly. It&#8217;s assumed you know what you&#8217;re doing and <a href=\"https:\/\/pureinfotech.com\/create-windows-10-system-image-backup\/\">created a full backup<\/a> of your system before proceeding.<\/span><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"show_extensions_explorer\">Show file extensions on Windows 10 from File Explorer<\/h2>\n<p>To show file extensions on Windows 10, use these steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p>Open <strong>File Explorer <\/strong>on Windows 10.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Click the <strong>View<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Check the <strong>&#8220;File name extensions&#8221;<\/strong> option.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-174098\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/explorer-view-show-file-extensions.webp?resize=827%2C436&#038;quality=78&#038;strip=all&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Show file extensions on File Explorer\" width=\"827\" height=\"436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/explorer-view-show-file-extensions.webp?w=893&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 893w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/explorer-view-show-file-extensions.webp?resize=300%2C158&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/explorer-view-show-file-extensions.webp?resize=150%2C79&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Enable extensions from Folder Options<\/h3>\n<p>You can also enable file extensions from the &#8220;Folder Options&#8221; settings using these steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p>Open <strong>File Explorer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Click the <strong>View<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Click the <strong>Options<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Click the <strong>View<\/strong> tab.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Clear the <strong>&#8220;Hide extensions for known file types&#8221; <\/strong>option.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-174099\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/folder-options-show-file-extensions.webp?resize=382%2C475&#038;quality=78&#038;strip=all&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Show extensions for known files on File Explorer\" width=\"382\" height=\"475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/folder-options-show-file-extensions.webp?w=382&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 382w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/folder-options-show-file-extensions.webp?resize=241%2C300&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 241w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/folder-options-show-file-extensions.webp?resize=121%2C150&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 121w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 382px) 100vw, 382px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Click the <strong>Apply<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Click the <strong>OK<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Once you complete the steps, File Explorer will show the extensions for known file types.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"show_extensions_settings\">Show file extensions on Windows 10 from Settings<\/h2>\n<p>To make file extensions visible from the Settings app, use these steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p>Open <strong>Settings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Click on <strong>Update &amp; security<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Click on <strong>For developer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Click the<strong> File Explorer<\/strong> setting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Check the <strong>&#8220;Change settings to show file extensions&#8221;<\/strong> option.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-174097\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/windows-10-settings-enable-show-extensions.webp?resize=827%2C492&#038;quality=78&#038;strip=all&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Change settings to show file extensions\" width=\"827\" height=\"492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/windows-10-settings-enable-show-extensions.webp?w=920&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/windows-10-settings-enable-show-extensions.webp?resize=300%2C178&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/windows-10-settings-enable-show-extensions.webp?resize=150%2C89&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Click the <strong>Apply<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>After you complete the steps, the extensions for files will now show in File Explorer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>If these settings are grayed out, you may have to change them from within the &#8220;Folder Options&#8221; page in File Explorer.<\/p>\n<p>This guide focuses on Windows 10, but the ability to hide and show file extensions has been around for long time, which means that you can use the same steps to show extensions on Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and older versions.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"show_extensions_cmd\">Show file extensions on Windows 10 from Command Prompt<\/h2>\n<p>To show file extensions through the Command Prompt (or PowerShell), use these steps:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p>Open <strong>Start<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Search for <strong>Command Prompt<\/strong> or <strong>PowerShell<\/strong>, right-click the top result, and choose the <a href=\"https:\/\/pureinfotech.com\/run-app-administrator-windows\/\"><strong>Run as administrator<\/strong><\/a> option.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p>Type the following command to show extensions for files and press <strong>Enter<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<pre>reg add HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced \/v HideFileExt \/t REG_DWORD \/d 0 \/f<\/pre>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-168631\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/cmd-show-file-extensions.webp?resize=827%2C277&#038;quality=78&#038;strip=all&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Command Prompt show file extensions\" width=\"827\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/cmd-show-file-extensions.webp?w=866&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 866w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/cmd-show-file-extensions.webp?resize=300%2C100&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pureinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/cmd-show-file-extensions.webp?resize=150%2C50&amp;quality=78&amp;strip=all&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>After you complete the steps, File Explorer will start displaying file extensions on Windows 11.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to undo the changes, you can use the same instructions, but in<strong> step 3<\/strong>, run this <code>reg add HKCU\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Explorer\\Advanced \/v HideFileExt \/t REG_DWORD \/d 1 \/f<\/code> command.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Update November 13, 2024:<\/strong> This guide has been updated to ensure accuracy and reflect changes to the process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You can show extensions for known files when browsing with File Explorer, and here&#8217;s how to do it on Windows 10.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":174101,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[95,19,2540,2576],"class_list":["post-106005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-windows","tag-difficulty-level-beginner","tag-how-to","tag-windows-10","tag-windows-help"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to show file extensions on Windows 10 - Pureinfotech<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"To show file extensions on Windows 10, open File Explorer, click &quot;View,&quot; 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Or open &quot;Folder Options&quot; and clear the &quot;Hide extensions for known file types&quot; option. 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With over 21 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS. Certifications he holds include Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+. Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central. You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. 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