A really easy way to show your file extensions in Windows XP

Posted by
July 23, 2006

Microsoft also has a thing about hiding file extensions. Ever since the beginning of Windows, the default setting for file extensions has been to hide them. Over the years many computer experts have pointed out over and over that this is not the best choice. Microsoft has never budged and it looks like Vista continues this practice. Changing the settings so that you can see file extensions is not that difficult. I have written about it many times and I have urged students in many classes to do this little adjustment. Easy as it is to do it (by going in any folder to Tools-Folder Options-View) many PC users still leave their file extensions hidden out of inertia.

So I am going to make it as easy as possible. Download this little INF file, put it anywhere convenient, unzip it, and right-click it. In the context menu that appears, select “Install”. That does it. You have to refresh the view (press the function key F5) but now your file extensions will be visible. In case somebody changes their mind, this file will hide the extensions again. Remember to refresh the view by pressing F5.

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File management

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