Add "Show/Hide Known File Extensions" to Context Menu in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
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 add or remove Show/Hide Known File Extensions to the desktop, library, and folder window's context menu to be able to toggle Hide extensions for known file types on or off in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
This will show you how to add or remove Show/Hide Known File Extensions to the desktop, library, and folder window's context menu to be able to toggle Hide extensions for known file types on or off in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
Note
When you right click on the Desktop and click on Show/Hide Known File Extensions, you will need to refresh (F5) the desktop to see the known file extensions show or hide.
When you right click on a blank area in the main window of a library or folder and click on Show/Hide Known File Extensions, the known file extensions will instantly show or hide in that window. You may need to refresh (F5) any other opened inactive window to see the known file extensions show or hide in them.
When you right click on a blank area in the main window of a library or folder and click on Show/Hide Known File Extensions, the known file extensions will instantly show or hide in that window. You may need to refresh (F5) any other opened inactive window to see the known file extensions show or hide in them.
EXAMPLE: "Show/Hide Known File Extensions" Added to Context Menu
OPTION ONE
To Add "Show/Hide Known File Extensions" to Context Menu
2. To Toggle Show or Hide Known File Extensions with Notify Sound Played A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and save it to your desktop, and go to step 4 below.
NOTE: When you click on the Show/Hide Known File Extensions context menu item using this option, you will hear the notify.wav sound file play only if Window Media Player is set as the default program for .wav files. If you do not have Window Media Player turned on in Windows Features, then you will get a error instead of the sound playing. Add_Show_Hide_Known_File_Extensions_to_Context_Menu_with_SOUND.zip
Download
3. To Toggle Show or Hide Known File Extensions without Sound A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and save it to your desktop, and go to step 4 below.
NOTE: This option is if you do not want to have the Notify.wav sound play when you use the Show/Hide Known File Extensions context menu item, or if you get an error from using step 1 since you have Windows Media Player turned off in Windows Features. Add_Show_Hide_Known_File_Extensions_to_Context_Menu.zip
Download
4. Open the downloaded ZIP file, and extract (drag and drop) both the .reg and .vbs files to your desktop.
5. Unblock the extracted .vbs file.
6. Right click or press and hold on the extracted and unblocked vbs file, and click/tap on Copy.
7. In Windows Explorer, navigate to and open the C:\Windows folder. Right click or press and hold on an empty area in the C:\Window folder, click/tap on Paste, then click/tap on Continue and Yes (UAC) if prompted. Close the Windows Explorer window.
8. Double click/tap on the extracted reg file on your desktop to merge it.
9. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7/8) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK.
10. Show/Hide Known File Extensions has now been added to the context menu.
11. You can delete the download files left on your desktop now if you would like to.
OPTION TWO
To Remove "Show/Hide Known File Extensions" from Context Menu
NOTE: This is the default setting. 1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and save it to your desktop. Remove_Show_Hide_Known_File_Extensions_from_Context_Menu.reg
Download
2. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
3. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7/8) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK.
4. Show/Hide Known File Extensions has now been removed from the context menu.
5. In Windows Explorer, navigate to and open the C:\Windows folder, right click or press and hold on the file below, click/tap on Delete and Yes (if prompted). Toggle_Show_Hide_Known_Files_Extensions.vbs
OR
Toggle_Show_Hide_Known_Files_Extensions_with_SOUND.vbs
6. You can now delete the download reg file if you would like to.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Hide or Show Known File Type Extensions in Windows 7
- How to Hide or Show Known File Name Extensions in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Associate a File Type or Protocol Default Program in Window 7
- How to Unassociate a File Extension Type in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
- Restore Default Windows 7 File Extension Type Associations
- How to Set Default Associations for a Program in Windows 7
- How to Add or Remove "Always use selected program" in Open with
- How to Have "Always use selected program" Always Checked or Unchecked in "Open with"
- How to Change the Default Icon of a File Extension in Windows 7
- Add "Show/Hide Hidden Files" to Context Menu in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
Last edited:
