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How to show file extension

December 8, 2007

It is very important to show file extensions in Windows for security reasons because users can be tricked into clicking on a .exe file and install a virus or some other kind of malicious software on the computer.

Here’s an example of what can happen if the file extensions were hidden. Let’s say you downloaded a file from somewhere and the file name was hotgirls.jpg, so you click on the file to view the image but the file was really hotgirls.jpg.exe and now you have a virus on your PC because the file extensions were hidden.

Here’s how to show file extension in Windows 2000, ME, and XP

• Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel
• Go into the “Folder Options” and select “View” tab
• Click on “Show hidden files and folders” to check it
• Now uncheck “Hide file extensions for known file types”
• When finished click “OK”

Show file extensions in Vista

• Open a folder such as “Documents” or “Computer”
• Click on the “Layout” button on the left side next to the View button
• Select the “Folder Options” and then the “View” tab
• Now uncheck “Hide file extensions for known file types”
• Hit “OK”

Topics: Windows Basic |

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