Windows 10: Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10

How to: Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10

How to Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10


A file name extension is a set of characters added to the end of a file name that determine which app should open it. By default, File Explorer hides file name extensions in Windows 10. However, you can make file name extensions visible.

This tutorial will show you how to hide or show known file name extensions for your account in Windows 10.


CONTENTS:

• Option One: To Hide or Show File Name Extensions using File Explorer Ribbon
• Option Two: To Hide or Show File Name Extensions using File Explorer Options
• Option Three: To Hide or Show File Name Extensions using a VBS file

EXAMPLE: File name extension












OPTION ONE [/i] To Hide or Show File Name Extensions using File Explorer Ribbon
1. Open File Explorer.

2. Click/tap on the View tab, and check (show) or uncheck (hide - default) File name extensions in the ribbon for what you want. (see screenshot below)









OPTION TWO [/i] To Hide or Show File Name Extensions using File Explorer Options
1. Open File Explorer Options.

2. Click/tap on the View tab, check (default) or uncheck Hide extensions for known file types for what you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)









OPTION THREE [/i] To Hide or Show File Name Extensions using a VBS file

*note The downloadable .vbs files below modify the DWORD value in the registry key below, then sends a refresh (F5) command to apply.

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

HideFileExt DWORD

0 = Show
1 = Hide


1. Do step 2 (hide) or step 3 (show) below for what you want.


2. To Hide Known File Name Extensions
*note This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Hide_Known_Extensions_for_File_Types.vbs

Download

3. To Show Known File Name Extensions
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Show_Known_Extensions_for_File_Types.vbs

Download

4. Save the .vbs file to your desktop.

5. Unblock the .vbs file.

6. Run the .vbs file to apply.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

• How to Add File Name Extensions Context Menu in Windows 10
• How to Choose Default Apps to Open Files with in Windows 10
• How to Restore Default Apps for File Extension Type Associations in Windows 10
• How to Turn On or Off 'Shortcut' Name Extension for New Shortcuts in Windows 10
• How to Change Default Shortcut Name Extension Template in Windows 7, 8, and 10
• How to Change Default Copy Name Extension Template in Windows 7, 8, and 10

:)

 

Explorer shows file extensions suddenly


Hello Robbie,

You might see if one of the options in the tutorial below may be able to turn off showing known file extensions for you.

File Name Extensions - Hide or Show in Windows 10

 

Can't Hide File Name Extension

I have a Problem, All my files are viewed with their File name extensions





Whenever i Uncheck the "file name extensions" from the View Tab it disappear for a while and then return back ( i cant deselect it )

and tried to choose hide name extensions from the folder options menu and also it come back

UPDATE:

It was Bitdefender who make it always not hidden as a more security level

 

How do I show file extensions?


Hello Alex, and welcome to Ten Forums.

You could use an option in the tutorial below to show known file extensions. It's for Windows 8.1, but it's the same in Windows 10.

File Name Extensions - Hide or Show in Windows 8

 

How do I show file extensions?

Thanks for the welcome, but I'm afraid I can't use your response. I have never used Window 8, and have no idea if there is a ribbon in Windows 10 or where to find it. I'm not even sure where the 'start button' is in Windows 10; is it the window icon on the far left of the task bar?

I'm sorry to be a nuisance, but really must ask you to do a detailed list like:
- Click on start button
- click on {whatever I should do next, and so on}

I'm afraid my knowledge of computers is very limited.

 

Show files extension toogle in context menu

I use the folder options and just uncheck Hide folder extensions as I'm in File Explorer [renamed from Windows Explorer of earlier versions] daily doing file management work. I've never gotten my head wrapped around a logical reason to hide the extensions but then I've "come up in the ranks" from DOS of the early '90s.

*Arrow Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10 | Tutorials