How to Hide and Unhide File Extensions on Windows 11/10?

What Are File Extensions?

File extensions are file types like audio files, video files, word files, and excel files. The audio file will only run on compatible audio software, as a video file will only run with video-compatible software.

File extensions are hidden on Windows computers by default. By seeing the file extension, you can easily tell which type of file it is. All file types will have different file extensions like .wav, .mp3, .wma, .docs, .XML, etc.

The operating system opens any file by understanding its extension and then decides which program can operate/open this file.

File name allows us to use multiple full stops, and malware also uses the same extension type as rock.docx.exe. At the same time, you will find this type of file in windows as rock.docx because, by default, Windows does not show extensions.

How to Hide and Show File Extensions in Windows 11/10 OS?

There are many ways to hide file extensions in Windows OS. We will be describing some of them below:

Step 1: Open the Control panel.

Step 2: Click on Appearance and Personalization.

Step 3: Now go to File Explorer Options.

Step 4: This will open the “File Explorer Options” window. After that click on View tab.

Step 5: Then tick or untick the “Hide extensions for known file types” option to show or hide file extensions.

Step 6: Click the Apply button to apply the settings.

Step 7: Left-click the OK button to close the file explorer options window.

Now open your file explorer folder to check the status of your file’s extensions.

How to Hide and Show File Extensions on Windows 11/10 via File Explorer?

Follow the below-given steps to Hide or Show File Extensions via File Explorer:

Step 1: Press Windows + E keys to open File Explorer.

Step 2: Click View in the Menu, When File Explorer opens.

Step 3: Select Show from the dropdown list.

Step 4: Tick or Untick File Name Extensions option.

It will Hide or Show file extensions on Windows 11/10 PC.

How to Hide and Show File Extensions in Windows 11/10 via Registry Editor?

Follow the below-given steps to Hide or Show File Extensions via Registry Editor:

Step 1: Open Registry Editor on your Microsoft Windows 11/10 PC.

Step 2: Locate the following key in the left sidebar of Registry Editor.

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

Step 3: Go to the right sidebar of the “Advanced” folder. Then look for the DWORD named “HideFileExt.” Now Double click on it to open.

Step 4: After that, fill in the following value in the “Value Data” field.

• 1-Shows up the hidden file extensions.
• 0-Hides the file extensions.

Step 5: Click the OK button.

Step 6: Then reboot your computer to save the changes.

That’s all for this article.

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Also, read 5 Ways to Check PC’s Full Specifications on Windows 10