Hello, the HideFileExt variable of my system is set to 0 (zero) but the file extension is still shown.

If I change it through Folder Options it's only temporarily hidden. After reboot file extensions are shown again.

What now, anyone?

Hi Shawn, thanx for your speedy reply.
I already searched for another HideFileExt entry in the register and found non as a DWORD value (only as folder or data entry).
It's my work PC so it might have to do with policies?

the first option is the easiest to follow for a novice like me

Brink... lol

hello again :)

The reg entries are only for local user. is there anyway to add this to all users?
i tried going to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced and add the HideFileExt and set it to 0, but nothing happened.

do u know if it is possible?
I'm making an MDT image and i would like to all computers ill make to have this settings to all users.

thanks again

I personally feel one should have file extensions showing so malware with a file name like cutephoto.jpg.exe is harder to sneak past someone. On a computer with the file extensions hidden, the sample filename I showed would appear as a harmless .jpg file. A savvy user should still pick up on it (the .jpg showing on a computer with file extensions showing should be the giveaway) but the chances of it slipping past are still increased, especially if the file is an email attachment or link, depending on what email program is being used.

Hi,
just a little add-on with a strange problem:

I used "Folder Options > View" to show the known file extensions.
That worked fine, except for ".url" ...

I checked the well-known registry entries, all ok. I checked with NirSoft's wonderful
"FileTypesMan","Always show this file extension" was selected.

I did a little Inet research and stumbled across that post :
Favorites Bar shows .url extension after name. - Microsoft Community

This user had the opposite problem, ".url" was always displayed. The answer from
Robert Aldwinckle, MVP, was a little cryptic (compared to the Tutorials in this forum),
but it led my attention to another Registry entry:

[ HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ IE.AssocFile.URL ]

( In an abbreviated tutorial style:
( Start RegEdit, navigate to "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\IE.AssocFile.URL"
( In the left pane click on "IE.AssocFile.URL"
( Check now in the right pane the entries

To my surprise in "IE.AssocFile.URL" I found two related entries,
both "AlwaysShowExt" and "NeverShowExt" were present ...
And, ofc, if Windows has the choice, it selects at 100% the one
the user didn't want (Murphy's Law).

I deleted "NeverShowExt" and finally my ".url" is visible.
Wondering who made this stupid entry, maybe my Avant Browser (set as default).

Sorry for the long post ...

Regards,
Tom

Btw, NirSoft's "FileTypesMan" is my number one choice to change the icons associated
with file extensions. It's lean, it's portable and I don't have to install whatsoever
additional stuff like especially versions of MS dotNET, which other tools desperately need.