By default, the file extensions of known file types that are associated with some software installed in your computer are hidden. Sometimes, some software or even the user makes them manually all visible as you can see on the screenshot below, where the TXT file extension is visible in Windows Explorer, because the TXT file type is associated with a Notepad program.
Visible TXT file extension in Windows Explorer
To make the file extensions of known file types hidden in Windows Explorer, go to Start → Control Panel and launch the Folder Options control panel.
Windows 7 Control Panel screenshot
In the View tab of Folder Options control panel locate the Hide extensions for known file type option. By default, its box is checked and the known file extensions are hidden. But if the box is not checked, all file extensions are visible in Windows Explorer. To hide all the known .ie associated file extensions in Windows Explorer, simply check this box and Apply the changes.
Folder Options control panel screenshot with all file extensions visible
After the changes are saved, all associated file extensions in your Windows Explorer will be hidden, like is shown on the screenshot below, where the TXT file extension is no longer visible.
Visible TXT file extension in Windows Explorer
File-Extensions.org Search application for Windows
You can also quickly show and hide file extensions of known file types with our free File-Extensions.org Search utility. Beyond its base capability to quickly search our database for your file extensions, it also has a handy toggle, that allows you to show/hide file extensions in Windows Explorer.
Microsoft Windows A series of operating systems produced by Microsoft
Microsoft Windows 7 One of the newer members of Windows OS family
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Show and hide file extensions in Windows 10
Show and hide file extensions in Windows 10
Learn how to show and hide file extensions in Windows 10
Even in the latest version of Windows operating system — Windows 10, the file extensions of known file types that are associated with some software installed in your computer, are still hidden by default.
This is due to Microsoft’s policy which makes it somewhat easier for common users, but at the same time may also be potentially dangerous due security reasons.
Microsoft prefers simplicity over security, which unfortunately means that dangerous and harmful files can be hidden under wrong file type and users does not have fully under control what they opens.
More advanced users of Windows 10 who want to keep their files and data under control can turn off «Hide extensions for known file types» File Explorer feature.
Show hidden file extensions in Microsoft Windows 10
OpenFile Explorer (This PC) → Click on View option in upper menu to view Ribbon menu → Check the box next the File name extensions option.
If you also want to view hidden files and folders → Check the box next the Hidden items option.
Hide and show file extensions in Windows 10
Another way how to view file extensions in Microsoft Windows 10, but little more complex is:
OpenDesktop Control Panel, for example by click by right mouse button on Start button in the left down corner → SelectControl Panel option.
Control Panel option in Windows 10
Click on Appearance and Personalization option.
Control Panel in Microsoft Windows 10
Click on Show hidden files and folders option in File Explorer Options group.
Show Hidden files and folders option in Windows 10 Control Panel
SelectShow hidden files, folders and drives options and uncheckHide extensions for known file types box → Apply and OK
File Explorer Options in Windows 10
After the changes are saved, you will be able to see the all file extensions in your Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
Related software and links:
Microsoft Windows 10 Operating system for deskop, laptop and tablet computers
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How to show File Extensions in Windows 10
File Extension is that which identifies the file type. If you are a regular Windows user, then it is not at all a problem to identify the file type. For it is very important to see file extension to identify the type of file you are trying to open from a security point of view. So in this post, we will see how to hide or show File Extensions in Windows 10/8/7 and why you should show them.
Since file names allow you to use multiple full stops, the real name of a malware file could be realword .docx.exe . But because you have not set Windows to show file extensions, you would see only realword .docx . Thinking its a Word document, you could well end up clicking on it and infecting your computer. If you had, on the other hand, set your PC to show file extensions, you would see its full name – realword .docx.exe , which would help you to identify that it was actually an executable file and in all probability a malware file.
What are File Extensions & how are they useful
Different file types have different extensions. Audio files have .mp3, .wav, .wma, and more based on the program used to open that file. File extensions also help the operating system to identify the corresponding program to open that particular file. So, you should be able to see file extensions to be at the safer side, and we will let you know how to enable options to see file extensions in Windows.
As mentioned earlier, by default Windows does not show file extensions and they are hidden. But, you can toggle the option to see them.
Show File Extensions in Windows 10
There are five ways how you can go about accessing this setting:
Through the File Explorer Options
Through Windows Explorer Ribbon
Using the Registry
Using Command Prompt
Using Group Policy Editor.
1] Through Folder or File Explorer Options
Open Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization. Now, click on Folder Options or File Explorer Option, as it is now called > View tab.
In this tab, under Advanced Settings, you will see the option Hide extensions for known file types. Uncheck this option and click on Apply and OK.
Windows 10 users may also search for File Explorer Options in Start search box and open this box.
Now, you can see file extensions for all files anywhere on your Windows system.
In Windows 10/8.1 Explorer, you can access File Explorer Options via Explorer.
Click View > Options > Change folder and search options.
Once here, you can do the needful as explained above.
In Windows 7, open Explorer, press Alt on your keyboard to make the Classic bar appear. Next, click on Tools > Folder Options. Now follow the steps mentioned above.
These are very simple steps to follow, and you do not need any third-party software to view file extensions. Windows provides us with everything which can be easily achieved, and the point lies in knowing and implementing them. This is the first way to see file extensions in Windows 7.
2] Via Windows File Explorer
Open Explorer and click on the View tab. Simply select the File name extensions checkbox, and you are all set.
3] Using the Registry Editor
Hit the WINKEY + R button combination to launch the Run utility, type in regedit and hit Enter. Once Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following key-
Look up for a DWORD entry labeled as HideFileExt.
Double click on the mentioned DWORD entry and set its value as 0. This will show up the hidden file extensions.
A value of 0 will hide the file extensions.
Exit the Registry Editor and then reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.
4] Use Windows Command Prompt
This fix can be used in both the scenarios mentioned above. Insert a bootable drive of Windows 10 installer.
Start by hitting the WINKEY + X combinations and select Command Prompt (Admin) to launch Command Prompt with Administrator Privileges.
Navigate to the root location of that bootable device inside the Command Prompt command line. Once you get there, type in the following to show the file extensions-
And then hit Enter.
You can also enter the following command to hide the file extensions,
5] Using Group Policy Editor
You can also use the Group Policy Editor and change the setting here:
User Configuration > Preferences > Control Panel Settings > Folder Options.
Set “Show hidden files and folders” and uncheck “Hide extensions for known file types”.
Thus, you can set your Windows to show file extensions in Windows 10/8. If you have anything to add, please do share it with us through comments.
Date: March 22, 2020 Tags: Explorer, Features
How can I hide all files of a certain extension?
Hi! How can I hide all files of a certain extension? In my case it’s *.pk — a so-called peak file created by a software used for recording and editing audio. It creates a pk-file for every wav I open/create/edit. I’d like those to be hidden completely, e.g. when using Windows Explorer. I believe that this is not anymore — for some reason that I cannot fathom — possible in Windows 10.
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Hi Supersoundzz, in Windows that is not possible to hide files of a certain type, sorry
While Windows will do this itself for say ini files, we as users have never been able to do this . . .
What you can do in File Explorer is set view as Details on the View Tab and then order by Type column, that will push all the pk files together and have them out of the way . . .
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Yeah, this isn’t possible in Windows 10. Perhaps you can achieve the same effect by either selecting the files in bulk (holding SHIFT for selecting more than one file or CTRL for multi-select but individually) then right-clicking them to go into their Properties and selecting Hidden, or hiding the whole folder (if all *.pk files are in them) by right-clicking the folder and selecting it as Hidden?
Let me know if this is not a viable solution or is, I’d be interested to hear your take on this.
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My name is Fernando. I am an Independent Advisor. I am here to guide you with hiding files of prticular extension.
There is no automatic way of hiding files with a certain extension unless they are system files. With that said, I can suggest creating a hidden folder then save your files to that particular folder.
The other option would be to create a batch file that can be set on task manager to run at a given interval.
I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let me know how it goes.
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