For computers running Windows 98/ME/2000/XP please see the WorkingArtist Knowledge Base article on Displaying File Extensions on Windows 98/ME/2000/XP".

Windows has an option to hide some file extensions in Windows Explorer. The file extension specifies the file type. For example:

.mdb is a Microsoft Access database file.
.doc is a Microsoft Word document.
.xls is a Microsoft Excel document.
.txt is a text file.
.jpg is a jpg image file.
.tif is a tif image file.

Some folders contain items that are used by the operating system. These folders are hidden to prevent users inadvertently damaging the computer.

To display file extensions and to show hidden folders from Windows Explorer.

1. Click on the "Organize" button to display the Organize menu.
2. From the Organize menu, click on Folder and Search Options.
3. In the Folder Options dialog, click on the View tab to display the View dialog.
4. In the View dialog, tag "Show hidden files and folders".
5. In the View dialog, locate and un-check "Hide file extensions for known file types".
6. Click on "Apply" to save the changes.
7. Exit the Folder Options dialog.

To display file extensions and to show hidden folders from the Desktop.

1. Click on the Start button to display the Start menu.

2. Right click on "Computer", then click on Explore to open Windows Explorer.

3. Click on the "Organize" button to display the Organize menu.
4. From the Organize menu, click on Folder and Search Options.
5. In the Folder Options dialog, click on the View tab to display the View dialog.
6. In the View dialog, tag "Show hidden files and folders".
7. In the View dialog, locate and un-check "Hide file extensions for known file types".
8. Click on "Apply" to save the changes.
9. Exit the Folder Options dialog.

You should now be able to see all file extensions for all types of files and also see hidden folders.

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