Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10  

    Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10

    Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10

    How to Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Customization
    16 Jan 2020
    Designer Media Ltd

    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
    Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10-file_name_extension.png
    Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10-file_name_extension_example.jpg






    OPTION ONE

    To Hide or Show File Name Extensions using File Explorer Ribbon


    1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

    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)

    Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10-file_name_extensions-file_explorer.png






    OPTION TWO

    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)

    Hide or Show File Name Extensions in Windows 10-file_name_extensions-file_explorer_options.png






    OPTION THREE

    To Hide or Show File Name Extensions using a VBS file


    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

    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





  1. Posts : 4,173
    Windows 11 Pro, 22H2
       #1

    @Brink,

    I'm in the process of making use of a slew of your tutorials in order to create a single registry file to apply all my preferred settings throughout Windows and that includes a number of File Explorer settings. However, in the case of this particular tutorial I'm confused as to why you are using VBS scripts with so many entries in option 3. From what I can tell it seems that that simply setting this registry key alone is all that is needed:

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

    HideFileExt DWORD

    0 = Show
    1 = Hide

    I wonder if you could possibly help me understand why all the rest is necessary.

    Thanks!
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 68,679
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello Hannes @hsehestedt,

    Sure thing. The .vbs file includes sending a refresh (F5) command after changing the registry value to apply it. Otherwise, it doesn't get applied.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4,173
    Windows 11 Pro, 22H2
       #3

    Sorry, I should have been clearer in my question. The .vbs file includes a section that begins with this:

    '' SIG '' Begin signature block

    I'm wondering what that is all about.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 68,679
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    hsehestedt said:
    Sorry, I should have been clearer in my question. The .vbs file includes a section that begins with this:

    '' SIG '' Begin signature block

    I'm wondering what that is all about.
    Ah, ok.

    The "SIG" bit is for the digital signature applied to the file.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 91
    10 pro
       #5

    Is there a group policy for this? I would like to make it very difficult (preferably impossible) to hide file extensions. Hidden file extensions are a serious security hole - the virus-writer's best friend.
      My Computer


 

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