Ever wondered why your files in Windows 11 only show names like document or photo, without any “.docx” or “.jpg” endings? Those endings are called file extensions, and they help you identify a file’s type — for example, whether it’s an image, video, text document, or executable file. By default, Windows 11 hides these extensions, but turning them on takes only a few clicks.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to show file extensions in Windows 11 File Explorer, explain why it’s important, and provide quick troubleshooting tips if you run into any issues.
🧭 What Are File Extensions in Windows 11?
A file extension is the short suffix at the end of a file name — such as .txt, .jpg, .mp3, .exe, or .pdf. It tells Windows what program should open that file.
For example:
| File Name | File Extension | Program Type |
|---|---|---|
| Resume.docx | .docx |
Microsoft Word Document |
| Picture.jpg | .jpg |
Image File |
| Video.mp4 | .mp4 |
Video File |
| Song.mp3 | .mp3 |
Audio File |
| Setup.exe | .exe |
Executable Program |
When file extensions are hidden, you can’t easily tell the difference between similar-looking files. This can be confusing — or even dangerous — because malicious files can disguise themselves as harmless ones.
⚠️ Why You Should Show File Extensions in Windows 11
Turning on file extensions has several benefits, especially for power users and anyone who downloads files often. Here’s why it’s important:
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🕵️♂️ Security: Hidden extensions can disguise malware (e.g., a file named photo.jpg.exe may appear as photo.jpg).
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🧰 File Management: Easily identify file types when organizing documents, images, or programs.
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🧠 Learning: Helpful if you’re new to computing — it helps you understand how files work.
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💻 Customization: Makes renaming or converting files easier, such as changing
.txtto.batfor script files.
⚙️ How to Show File Extensions in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step)
There are several ways to view file extensions in Windows 11. Let’s go through each method.
🪟 Method 1: Show File Extensions Using File Explorer
This is the easiest and most common method.
Step 1: Open File Explorer
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Press Windows + E on your keyboard, or click the File Explorer icon on your taskbar.
Step 2: Go to the “View” Menu
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At the top toolbar, click View.
Step 3: Select “Show”
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Hover over Show from the dropdown options.
Step 4: Click “File name extensions”
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Check the box next to File name extensions.
✅ Result: All file names will now display their extensions (e.g., photo.jpg instead of just photo).
⚡ Method 2: Enable File Extensions via Folder Options
This method gives you more control over how files and folders are displayed.
Step 1: Open Folder Options
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Open File Explorer → Click the three dots (⋯) in the toolbar → Select Options.
Step 2: Go to the “View” Tab
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In the Folder Options window, select the View tab.
Step 3: Uncheck “Hide extensions for known file types”
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Scroll down until you find Hide extensions for known file types.
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Uncheck this option.
Step 4: Apply the Changes
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Click Apply → OK.
✅ Result: File extensions are now visible across all folders.
🧠 Method 3: Use the Command Prompt
If you prefer a quick command-line method, you can toggle file extensions using CMD.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
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Press Windows + S, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
Step 2: Run the Command
Type this command and press Enter:
Step 3: Restart File Explorer
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Run this command next to refresh File Explorer:
✅ Result: File extensions will now be displayed in all folders.
⚙️ Method 4: Use Windows PowerShell
You can do the same using PowerShell.
Step 1: Open PowerShell
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Press Windows + X → Select Windows Terminal (Admin).
Step 2: Enter the Command
Paste and run this command:
Step 3: Restart File Explorer
Run:
✅ Result: File extensions are now visible.
🧩 How to Hide File Extensions Again (Optional)
If you decide you prefer a cleaner look without extensions:
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Open File Explorer.
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Click View → Show → File name extensions.
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Uncheck the box.
Or use Folder Options again and check Hide extensions for known file types.
🧰 Troubleshooting: File Extensions Not Showing?
If file extensions still don’t appear, try the following:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| File extensions option is greyed out | Check for Windows updates or restart File Explorer. |
| Changes don’t apply to all folders | Click “Apply to Folders” in Folder Options. |
| Registry edit didn’t work | Ensure you ran Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator. |
| Still hidden after reboot | Reset Folder View Settings from Folder Options. |
💡 Tips for Managing File Extensions Safely
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⚠️ Don’t change extensions unless you know what you’re doing — it can make files unusable.
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🧾 Keep extensions visible to spot suspicious files (e.g.,
invoice.pdf.exe). -
🧩 Use “Sort by type” in File Explorer for better file organization.
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💾 Use “Open with” to choose the correct app when changing file types manually.
🔍 Common File Extensions and Their Meanings
| Extension | File Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
.txt |
Text Document | Plain text file |
.docx |
Word Document | Microsoft Word format |
.xlsx |
Excel Spreadsheet | Microsoft Excel file |
.jpg, .png |
Image | Picture formats |
.mp3, .wav |
Audio | Music or sound files |
.mp4, .avi |
Video | Video formats |
.zip, .rar |
Archive | Compressed files |
.exe, .bat |
Executable | Application or script file |
🪄 Alternative: Use File Type Column in Explorer
If you prefer not to show extensions but still want to identify file types easily:
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Open any folder in File Explorer.
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Right-click the column header → Click More…
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Check Type → Click OK.
You’ll now see a column showing each file’s type (e.g., JPEG image, Text document, Application).
🧭 Summary: Key Steps to Show File Extensions in Windows 11
| Method | Description | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| File Explorer | Quick and easy via “View → Show → File name extensions” | ⭐ Easy |
| Folder Options | Permanent setting for all folders | ⭐⭐ Moderate |
| Command Prompt | Registry-based method | ⭐⭐ Advanced |
| PowerShell | Alternative to CMD | ⭐⭐ Advanced |
✅ Recommended for most users: Use the File Explorer method — it’s simple, safe, and quick.
🏁 Conclusion
Showing file extensions in Windows 11 is a small change that makes a big difference — especially when managing files or keeping your system secure. Whether you’re a beginner exploring Windows or a power user fine-tuning your setup, understanding and displaying file extensions helps you stay in control of your data.
Try enabling file extensions today — you’ll never want to go back to guessing what each file really is!
❓ FAQs: Windows 11 File Extensions
1. Why are file extensions hidden by default in Windows 11?
Microsoft hides extensions to make the interface look cleaner for casual users, but you can easily enable them for better transparency.
2. Can changing a file extension harm my computer?
Changing an extension won’t harm your PC, but it can make a file unreadable if the program doesn’t recognize the new format.
3. Will showing file extensions affect performance?
No — showing file extensions doesn’t impact your computer’s speed or performance at all.
4. How do I reset all folder view settings in Windows 11?
Open File Explorer → Options → View tab → Reset Folders.
5. Can I see extensions for hidden system files too?
Yes, but you’ll also need to enable Show hidden files in Folder Options for those to appear.
🧾 Key Takeaways
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File extensions identify file types like
.jpg,.docx, or.exe. -
Windows 11 hides them by default, but you can enable visibility in File Explorer.
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Viewing extensions improves security and file management.
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Multiple methods exist — GUI (File Explorer, Folder Options) and CLI (CMD, PowerShell).
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Always be careful when renaming or changing extensions.