Any file from a computer has an extension, for example .rar, .zip, .txt, .xls, .jpg and so on. These file extensions are automatically created by the programs that generated those files and are useful because computers will know what kind of files are and how to open them.
Is possible that you do not see extensions of common files and this option can be set by default when you install a fresh operating system or accidentally change this setting and you don't know how to revert it.
I prefer to view all extensions for all files, to know with what kind of files i am dealing (text, images, video, executable etc.).
The main Windows setting that displays or not file types is named Hide extensions for known file types and this is the reason that you see or not those extensions. In this article you will see how to show or display file extensions.
As you can see, i have a sample text file.txt file, but the .txt extension isn't visible. This may apply to any type of file.
To show file extensions open Computer (My Computer) or from location where you are currently and view file(s) without extensions and click on View tab.
Then check option File name extensions.
As you can see, now the file extension is displayed.
As you can see, in my Windows 7, i have a file and extension is hidden. Is a .txt file, but extension is hidden and will change from Windows options to view all file extensions. no matter what type there are.
Go to Start then click and access Control Panel. Or you can access Control Panel directly from your desktop if you have a shortcut there.
In Control Panel, click on Appearance and Personalization (if you have Control Panel items organized by Category).
If you have Control Panel items organized by Small icons, go directly to Folder Options
If you have Control Panel organized by category, after you click Appearance and Personalization, go to Folder Options.
In the View tab, uncheck option Hide extensions for known file types.
Then click Apply and Ok.
Now you will see all file extensions.
To show all file extensions in Windows XP, open My Computer, then go to Tools and choose Folder Options
Then go to View tab and uncheck option Hide extensions for known file types.
Then click Apply and Ok.
Now you will view all file extensions.