How to show file extensions in Windows

windows file extensions

All files that we can work with on a computer have a name that is made up of two parts . On the one hand there is the name that we give it , which usually describes the content to a greater or lesser extent, and on the other hand we have the extension , which is what defines what type of file it is and with what program we can open it . For example, we have a photo of the vacation that we have titled Playa, but in reality its full name would be Playa.jpg. Windows hides these extensions by defaultsince the usual thing is that we do not need to see them. When it comes to files known as JPG images, a Microsoft Word DOC file or a PDF document, the system hides it, it will only show us when it is about files with unknown extensions for which we do not have any program to open them. The reason that they appear hidden is that normally we do not need to see them, and we can change one without realizing it and then we cannot open the file.

If we want to modify the extension then we do need to see it, and for this we must remove the option that hides them from Windows. Here we explain how file extensions can be displayed whether you have a Windows 7 or Windows 8 computer , since the method is not the same. In both cases it is very simple to do and we can complete it in just a few clicks. However, we highlight that it is much faster in Windows 8, something unusual for other tasks.

Show file extensions in Windows 7

windows file extensions

1) In order to modify this function we have to open any Windows explorer window, no matter what it is, we only need to open any folder.

2) Inside the window we will see that there is a menu called Organize , it is on the left side. We press it and open the option called Folder Options.

3) Once we are in the Folder Options menu, we go to the View tab and we find a block with many options at the bottom.

windows file extensions

4) All we have to do now is uncheck the box "Hide known file extensions" , click OK and we will see the extensions of absolutely all the files that we have on the computer.

Show file extensions in Windows 8

windows file extensions

1) In the case of Windows 8 we will also have to open an explorer window , whatever works.

2) At the top there is a menu called View , when you press it a kind of drop-down menu is displayed with several options.

3) What we have to do is look for the box "File name extensions" and mark it so that they appear, that easy and fast.

Once you have the extensions activated you can modify them, but be careful because this process can leave the file unusable. We cannot convert a JPG image to TIF just by changing the extension . For example, there are sound files that do allow it, but it only makes sense at times when we want to achieve a specific effect.