Windows 7: File Extensions - Hide or Show

   Information

A file name extension is a set of characters added to the end of a file name that identifies the file type or format that determines what default program should open it. This will show you how to have Windows 7 hide or show known file type extensions. By default in Windows 7, known file types are set to hide.

OPTION ONE

Through Folder Options

1. Open Folder Options, and click on the View tab. (See screenshot below)

2. To Hide Known File Type Extensions

A) Check the Hide extensions for known file types box, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: This is the default setting.

3. To Show Known File Type Extensions

A) Uncheck the Hide extensions for known file types box, then click on OK. (see screenshot above)

OPTION TWO

Using a REG file Download

1. To Show Known File Type Extensions

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.

Show_Known_File_Extensions.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Hide Known File Type Extensions

A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
NOTE: This is the default setting.

Hide_Known_File_Extensions.reg

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Refresh (F5) Window Explorer or Desktop to see the changes.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION THREE

Manually Through Registry Editor

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit in the search box and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

4. In the right pane of Advanced, right click on HideFileExt and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)

5. To Hide Known File Type Extensions

A) Type 0 (number zero), and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This is the default setting.

B) Go to step 7.

6. To Show Known File Type Extensions

A) Type 1, and click on OK. (see screenshot above)

7. Close regedit.

8. Refresh (F5) Window Explorer or Desktop to see the changes.