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Easy and Simple Instructions for Tech Newbies

How to Show File Extension in Windows 7

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Windows 7 and previous versions of Windows hide file extensions by default, which is a big security risk and Microsoft should have fixed this in Windows 7. A common technique virus authors use is disguising a .exe file as .jpg, .doc, or .txt when it’s actually a executable file (.exe) making you run and install a malicious program. For example a bad guy can name a virus “pictures-of-britney.jpg.exe”, if your file extension was hidden you would not realize the file was a .exe because you would only see “pictures-of-britney.jpg” and once you realized what you did it’s to late.

How to Show File Extension in Windows 7

Show file extension in Windows 7

1. Open Windows Explorer, you can do this by opening up any folder or you can just click Start > User Name.

2. Click “Organize”, scroll down and click “Folder and search options”.

3. Click the “View” tab. Scroll down until you see “Hide extensions for known file types”, un-check this line here by clicking on the check box.

4. Click “OK” and now your file extensions will now longer be hidden.

Comments

  1. Grammar says

    “….which is a big security risk and Microsoft should of fixed this in Windows 7.”

    Should have been:

    “…which is a big security risk and Microsoft should have fixed this in Windows 7.”

    “Should’ve” is not a contraction for “should of,” it is a contraction for “should have.”

  7. Aaron says

    Thanks allot, really simple. Feel quite embarrassed really, I should know these things.
    anyway thanks again for the support..

  18. tandee says

    Microsoft HAS to keep changing things in order to stay in business. They wouldn’t have jobs unless they came up with new stuff all of the time. Some of it is good, but other parts are superfluous. That is what drives me crazy…I just get to where I am familiar with their programs and icons and can find my way around quickly, then they go and change the appearance and location of everything and I lose all of my productivity. And to be fair, it isn’t just Microsoft, either, it’s AutoCAD, MicroStation and other software as well. Even the grocery stores change where they put stuff in the aisles so you can’t find what you want. Makes you glad to get old so you can die.

  19. aquaphoenix says

    This rocks! My head has exploded when my conversion software failed to convert certain VOB files after 2+ hour “conversion”. Luckily I saved those “failed” VOB files and today I simply changed the extension. Voilà! You made my day 🙂

  23. Don says

    tandee I love it! Exactly how I feel about it. Now add that we are responsible for global warming any time we do anything and you can hope you get old and die faster.
    Then we have these poor people like Aaron who feels like it is his own fault for not knowing microsofts newest magical incantation.
    Then follow those instructions and you may not be done yet! There is another box hiding extentions if they are already known.
    Microsoft . . . its pitiful, Reminds me of the cartoon character that runs around saying nothing but “I know something you don’t know! I know something you don’t know!”

  27. Crystal says

    Thank you so much! This was a piece of cake to do! I am a major die hard Michael Jackson fanatic and wanted his songs as ringtones and wouldn’t normally mind paying the money for them if he was still here to get it or if I knew his kids got the money iTunes makes off him.

  30. Ken W says

    I am a professional software developer. As such, I like to see as much detail in the windows with as much clarity as possible (like file extensions and ACTUAL UNC PATHS in the Location bar).

    However, for whatever reason, Microsoft seems to feel that it is necessary to keep DUMBING DOWN the Windows interface with each new release. They seem to cater to the novice user that doesn’t care, for example what the file extension is or what the actual path to the file is (in the format: \\server\share\folder\). These things are absolutely CRITICAL for us developers to see and to be able to copy and use in our work.

    If you type in a UNC path into the Explorer location box, it converts it automatically into “baby speak” like: “Network > ServerName > ShareName > Folder”. C’mon now, what the heck did someone spend time creating that useless ‘feature’ for? Just friggin’ show what I typed in: “\\data01\Applications\Database\”!!

    Also, why the #$% did they take away the navigation icons like Up a Folder, Nav Back, etc?!

    Like another commentor indicates, a lot of productivity is lost when they do crap like that. I am all for improving the Windows experience, but when it’s not broken, leave it the heck alone!

  35. Garry says

    If above does not help or show file extension setting in Window 7, here’s five steps alternative:

    1. Start/Control Panel
    2. View by: (select Small Icons)
    3. Select Folder Options
    4. Select View Tab
    5. Uncheck box – Hide extensions for know file types

  37. manvantar says

    It’s a stupid stupid glitch & I tired fixing it. Why would you need to hide file extensions???

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    na odchudzanie i znalazlam. Wygoglujcie sobie: xxally radzi
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