How to Show File Extensions in Windows 8/7/Vista/XP

By default all Windows versions such as Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 don’t show file extensions for known file types. This means that as long as a file type is associated with a program by its file extension, Windows will show only a file’s name and not its extension. But sometimes this may cause unnecessary confusion. For example, if there are two files with the same filename but a different file extension, it’s difficult to distinguish one file from another. In this tutorial we’ll explain how to display file extensions in Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP.

Part 1: How to Show File Extensions in Windows 7, Vista and XP

1. Open up Windows Explorer.
2. In Windows XP, choose Tools > Folder Options. In Windows 7 and Vista, choose Organize > Folder And Search Options.
3. Click the View tab in the Folder Options dialog box.
4. Deselect Hide extensions for known file types.

5. Click OK to save your changes.

Part 2: How to Show File Extensions in Windows 8

1. Open up Windows Explorer.
2. When Windows Explorer, please single-click on the View tab. Once you click on this tab, you will be shown a screen similar to the one below.
3. Check File name extensions to show file extension.

4. After this, the file extensions should be visible and no longer hidden.