Always Show Filename Extensions in Windows Explorer

Some people say you don’t really need to install a third-party antivirus on Windows, and honestly, I agree. All you need is Windows Defender, common sense, and the habit of always displaying file extensions in Windows Explorer.

Not in the mood for reading? Watch the video instead.

I always recommend that Windows users, regardless of skill level, enable file extensions in Windows Explorer.

The reason is simple: malware can easily pretend to be something it’s not.

You’d be surprised how many people have been tricked into opening an EXE file when they thought they were downloading a brand-new Hollywood movie.

Unfortunately, by default, Windows hides known filename extensions.

But don’t worry, it’s easy to fix.

To always show file extensions in Windows Explorer, follow these steps:

• Open Windows Explorer.
• Click on the three dots (⋯) button in the toolbar.
• Select Options.

• A new Folder Options dialog will appear.
• Select the View tab.
• Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.
• Click Apply, then OK.

From now on, Windows Explorer will display all files with their respective extensions. So next time you download a “movie” from the internet, you’ll immediately know whether it’s a real video file (like .mp4 or .mov), or actually an .exe file pretending to be one.

Video

Conclusion

As usual, if you have any questions or a better method, leave a comment below. Thanks for reading, and see you next time!