Vista: Show or Unhide File Extensions

Contributor Icon Contributed by Hack_Vista Date Icon March 14, 2006  
Tag Icon Tagged: Microsoft Vista

Most power users of vista will want to see file extensions for all files. Here is how to see file extensions when browsing in explorer.


What the heck! Doesn’t windows know that seeing file extensions and people learning what file extensions are is a good thing?

Geesh.

Here is how to turn it back on in vista.

Enable the Display of File Extensions in Vista:

    1. Open a folder or open explorer
    2. Click the Layout button (to the left of the Views button) as shown in the picture below

    3. Click Folder Options
    4. Click the View tab
    5. Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types
    6. Click OK

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  • MF
    Thanks!
    I cannot understand that M$ cannot undserstand that this is a good thing. Stupid f***ing M$...
    // MVHMF
  • M.
    Thanks... for some odd reason I had thought it to be under, Customize this folder.
  • Steph
    Thanks!

    Crazy Vista, before I read this I had not even NOTICED that tool bar in the explorer.
  • Utkarsh
    Great man..thanks for the support.
    Vista is new....so we will take time to know it.
  • UghMS
    Which is exactly the problem with MS. For some reason they think it's ok to force their users to relearn how to do everything each time they release a new OS, all under the misguided notion that they have somehow made it easier to use (especially for new users). My favorite such thing is the dynamic start menu where things move around based on a complex algorithm of how often it's been clicked on and how much MS thinks I should be using a program. That's the only way I can explain why IEXPLORER keeps ending up near the top of the start list.
  • jan frederiksen
    well, thank you for that. I'm new to Vista and I find it difficult to adjust & find the things I'm used to from XP.
  • anon
    Just another reason VIsta is terrible
  • Fraser
    Thanks, my version of vista is a bit different so it took my a awhile to find the layout link :P
  • Hawk
    Seems like Mickysoft just keeps finding new ways of making the computer more difficult to operate. I don't understand why. :<
  • freetrial
    If you hit Alt key, it will show you all of the other options just like XP. =)
  • kyle
    easier than my method lol. good job good info. i never knew that!
  • mike
    YEAH!

    THANKS, THE ALT KEY IS THE SH*T

    now i see the things that i know how to manipulate!
  • Cruel-cruel Mickeysoft, thanks a bunch for hiding this feature so well.

    Thanks for the Alt Key Tip

    phew
    zzapper
  • Anthony
    MYN IS IN CHINESE CUSE I CAN ONLY GET LEGAL CHINESE VISTA HERE AND I CAN'T READ ANY CRAP ON IT!! i ticked everything and unticked eveyrthing cuse i can't read chinese but there was no difference
  • Matthew
    OMFG! thanks so much man, i so hate that. i never knew how to change that, i usualy had to which computers to change it.. gosh, thanks again. :D
  • kyle
    if like me you dont have that button, click organize then layout and check mark menu bar. go to tool>options, click the view tab and its right there.
  • Regs
    this is a little outdated (for me at least): almost the same, but instead of hitting layout, you have to click organise and find layout from there.

    thanks for pointing me the right way though
  • dkl
    Thank you. It takes forever to find these annoying little details on your own. This one is my particular pet peeve with vista. Actually I have a "cat lady" type collection of peeves with vista, not just a single pet, but this one is first. Thanks for helping me get rid of it.
  • neha
    thankx
  • desparatelyseekingchocolate
    THANK YOU!!! This has been driving me nuts!!!!
  • wolfwatcher
    Thank you so much! I had to change a file extension to run a program for school and could not figure this out (I've had vista for 3 days). You guys rock =)
  • Fish
    Thanks so much! You saved me from much heartache and headache. I needed to change a file ext. to be able to play my kids wrestling videos! Thanks again!
  • STEVEN
    There is no layout button to the left of the Views button.
  • tinky2jed
    I have Vista-64, but there is no layout button to the left of the other buttons. Now what?
  • trek
    There's an organize button that is different than the layout button on mine, but in the same location (perhaps SP1 changed this?) but through liberal application of brain power you should be able to figure it out once you find the right button
  • wayneski
    yea microcrap, hiding extension to what end exactly??????

    geez, like we are going to be a good little servant to your every whim. nice try jack ass.
  • Mark
    Thank you!
  • Angela
    Thank you very much!
  • shane
    My layout buttion doesnt have that option.... and my layout button can only be found under organize
  • demis
    Fortunatelly, all CMD commands remain in VISTA. Thus, you can enter "control folders" in RUN menu (start menu) in order to open the folder options.

    Hope that helped :)
  • fedup
    This is Rubbish. I dont even have a Layout button. Next to Vies is Organise.

    Vista is Rubbish. I hate it with a passion.
  • Anonymous
    Thanks, experienced computer user getting used to Vista. Dammed oddities :P
  • Juni
    Thanks...

    stupid Vista!!!
  • thesfid
    Thank you!
  • who@yahoo.com
    if u dont have the layout button just go to tools folder options is there
  • eljay
    Thank you!
  • Thanks!
    I recently made the leap to Vista and do a lot of file-level work and a quick search led me to your post!
  • Nice and easy. If there any way to show all file extension in all folders instead of just doing the same operation one by one?

    Thank you!
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