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How to Show File Name Extensions in Windows 11 and Windows 10

Turn on File name extensions in Windows 11 or clear Hide extensions for known file types in Windows 10. The setting changes File Explorer’s display, not the file format.
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To unhide file extensions in Windows, turn on File name extensions in File Explorer. In Windows 11, choose View > Show > File name extensions. In Windows 10, open Folder Options and clear Hide extensions for known file types. This changes what File Explorer displays, not the file’s format.

Show file extensions in Windows 11

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Select View > Show > File name extensions.

File Explorer will display filename extensions, such as .txt or .jpg, after the filename. Microsoft documents this setting in its Windows file-extension guidance.

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Show file extensions in Windows 10

  1. Open File Explorer and select View > Options > Change folder and search options.
  2. In the Folder Options window, select the View tab.
  3. Under Advanced settings, clear Hide extensions for known file types.
  4. Select OK.

These Windows 10 steps remain documented by Microsoft, although Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says the operating system no longer receives free software updates through Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes. See Microsoft’s File Explorer instructions.

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What a file extension does—and what it does not do

A filename has a name and an extension separated by a period. The extension helps Windows identify which application can open a file and which icon File Explorer displays. For example, a filename ending in .txt indicates a text-file association.

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Changing an extension by renaming a file does not convert its contents to another format. Microsoft cautions that changing the extension changes the filename only; use an appropriate application’s export or conversion feature when you need a different format.

File extensions are not the same as hidden files

The extension setting controls whether File Explorer displays the endings of filenames. It is separate from Hidden items, which controls whether hidden files and folders are shown. To display hidden items, use File Explorer’s separate View > Show > Hidden items control; turning on file name extensions does not reveal hidden files.

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