How to display hidden file types

Often times when you use Windows Explorer to look for files, you will not see the extensions.

There is a setting in Windows called "Hide extensions for known file types".  When this is enabled, instead of seeing "MyDocument.pdf", you see the icon of your pdf program and "MyDocument".

Where this causes issues is when Support asks you to send them the ".vdf" file.  If you have the setting "Hide extensions for known file types" enabled, then you are not going to see the .vdf extension and you are going to send the .vdfk (because it looks close) and that is not going to help resolve your issue.

This setting is accessed in the same manner for Windows XP, 7, 8 (and for you geeks) server 2012.  (Of course, if you're a geek you should already know this.)

Launch the Control Panel.  Start, Control Panel works, as does the Windows key and "control".

Within the Control Panel is an icon or entry for Folder Options, click on that one to launch it.

This window will contain two or more tabs, choose the one labeled "View".

Towards the middle of the list of check boxed items, will be one called "Hide extensions for known file types".  If this checkbox is checked, then the extensions are hidden.  Uncheck this box and click the OK button to close the Folder Options window.

Now when you use Windows Explorer to look for files on your computer, you will see all the extensions.

As always, if there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

thanks,
chuck