File extensions are three letters that appear after a file name. For example, in the Word 97 file letter.doc, the .doc is the file extension. They tell Microsoft® Windows® 95 what type of file the file is. In the above example, the .doc says that this is a Word 97 file.
Hiding File Extensions
- Select View/Options/View.
- Ensure the last option: Hide MS-DOS file extensions for file types that are registered is selected.
NOTE: Click on the File Types tab to see a list of registered file types. Click on the file type in the list to see the relevant extension).
- Click on Apply and then on OK.
- Open the C drive icon.
- Scroll down and look at the file names. No extensions are visible.
- Open the Windows folder.
- Scroll down and look at the file names. No extensions are visible. For Example, the file Notepad is called Notepad, not Notepad.exe.
- Return to the My Computer window.
- Select View/Options/View.
- Deselect the last option: Hide MS-DOS file extensions for file types that are registered.
- Click on Apply and then on OK.
- Open the C drive icon.
- Scroll down and look at the file names. You should be able to see the file extensions.
- Open the Windows folder.
- Scroll down and look at the file names. You will be able to see the file extensions. For Example, the Notepad file now appears as Notepad.exe
- Return to the My Computer window.