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Show file extensions in WinXP

One of my gripes about Windows is that sometimes it tries too hard to protect me from myself. Sure, I know that there are users who don’t know what a .doc extension means and would happily click on any .vbs file that comes through their email. But I want to see the extensions for files on my computer, and Windows turns this off by default.

Fortunately, it’s easy to fix. Open up a My Computer window and click on Options -> Folder Options and then the View tab. It’ll look like this.

Show Extensions Screen Shot

Notice the very last option in the list box. If your computer isn’t showing extensions then there’s probably a check in the box. Clear the check and press ok. Now all the extensions will show.

This works in both WinXP and Windows 2000.

Published inComputers & Internet

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