If you wish to show the '.lnk' extension for shortcuts, then the above method will not work. To do this, you need to edit the registry. Click on the start orb and type 'regedit' into the search box. Right click on the program, select 'Run as administrator' and provide administrative credentials. When the registry editor opens, browse to the following key:'HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile' (see image below).
You will see an entry 'NeverShowExt'. Right click on this entry and select 'Delete'.
Click 'Yes' to confirm that you wish to delete this value.
The registry at this location will now look like the image below.
Close the registry editor. You will need to restart your system for changes to take effect.
To hide this extension again, open the registry editor and browse to the same key as above. In the right hand panel, right click on a blank space and select 'New' and then 'String Value'.
Give this value the name you had previously deleted, i.e 'NeverShowExt' and press enter/return. The registry at this location will once again look like the following image.
Close the registry editor. You will need to restart your system for changes to take effect.
File Name Extension
- 31 Oct 2007 #1
File Name ExtensionHow to Show and Change a File Name Extension in Vista
Published by
31 Oct 2007File Name Extension
How to Show and Change a File Name Extension in Vista
InformationA file name extension is a set of characters added to the end of a file name that identifies the file type or format which determines what program should open it. This will show you how to Hide or Show and Change file extensions in Vista.
NoteThis will not work for the .lnk shortcut file extension since you cannot see it by default. For how to see this file extension, see: File Name Extension
OPTION ONE
How to Show or Hide File Name Extensions
1. Open Folder Options.
2. To Show File Name Extensions
A) Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types. (See screenshot below step 4)3. To Hide File Name Extensions
B) Go to step 4.
A) Check Hide extensions for known file types.4. Click on OK.
OPTION TWO
How to Change a File Name Extension
1. Make sure you have Folder Options set to show file name extensions. (See step 2 in STEP ONE above)That's it,
2. Right click on the file and click on Rename. (See screenshot below)
3. Press the right arrow key once. (See screenshot below)
4. Press the Delete key until the file name extension is deleted. (See screenshow below)
5. Type in the new file name extension you want to use and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: I used the BAT extension as example here for batch files.
6. Click on Yes to change the file name extension. (See screenshot below)
7. Notice that the icon has changed to match the file name extension. (See screenshot below)
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Open and Change Folder Options in Vista
- How to Associate a Individual File Extension Type With a Program in Vista
- How to Unassociate a File Extension Type in Vista
- How to Fix Cannot Rename and or Create a New Folder in Vista
- How to Set and Unset the Read-only File and Folder Attribute in Vista
- How to Copy the Full Path of a File or Folder in Vista
- How to Change a File Extension Type Icon in Vista
- Restore Default Vista File Extension Type Associations
- How to Add "Show/Hide Known File Extensions" to Context Menu in Vista and Windows 7
Published by
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007Location: Texas, USAPosts: 30,591ArrayTutorial Tools
Applies to
All Vista Versions 64 Bit & 32 Bit
- 05 Sep 2008 #1
The Contemplator
Join Date : Mar 2008 Doncaster, UK Posts : 2,754 Windows Vista Ultimate x64 Service Pack 2 Local Time: 07:29 AM
My System SpecsRe: File Name Extension
- 05 Sep 2008 #2
Administrator 
Join Date : Apr 2007 Texas, USA Posts : 30,591 64-bit Vista Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate SP1, Windows 8 Enterprise Local Time: 01:29 AM
My System SpecsRe: File Name Extension
Thank you Dwarf. It has been link in the tutorial for this.
Shawn
File Name Extension
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