Showing file extensions in Windows 11 isn’t too complicated in theory, but in practice, it can be a bit frustrating—especially if you need to quickly see what type of file you’re dealing with. By default, Windows hides those extensions to keep things looking tidy, but that means you might not know if a file’s a .pdf or a dodgy .exe without opening it first. If you’ve ever opened a file that turned out to be malware just because you couldn’t tell, then this little trick is a must-know. It’s pretty straightforward, but Windows can be a bit quirky—sometimes the setting doesn’t stick, or resets after updates. So, if you want to stay in control and manage your files better, here’s how to get those extensions to show up reliably.
How to Show File Extensions in Windows 11
Manual Setup via File Explorer
This way’s quick and easy — no fuss. It works because Windows hides this setting under the View menu, and flipping it on makes all the file extensions appear. Sometimes the setting sticks after a restart, sometimes not. So, it’s a good idea to check if it’s still there after you make the change.
- Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar or just hit Windows + E.
- At the top, click on the View menu.
- Hover over or click Show. Depending on your version, this might be a dropdown or a sidebar — depends on your setup.
- Tick the box for File name extensions — when active, the extensions will show up.
Once you’ve done that, flick through a few files to see if the extensions are now visible. Some folks say that after a reboot, the setting resets — if that happens, just turn it back on. On some versions of Windows 11, you might need to do it a bit differently, like through Folder Options, which I’ll explain next.
Folder Options for a More Reliable Fix
If toggling through the View menu isn’t cutting it, or if extensions keep disappearing after an update, try the classic Folder Options method. It’s a bit hidden, but it usually does the trick for good. Of course, Windows sometimes makes things more complicated than they need to be.
- Open File Explorer.
- Click the three dots in the toolbar and select Options. Or go to See more (the three dots) > Options.
- In the Folder Options window, switch to the View tab.
- Scroll down to Hide extensions for known file types.
- Uncheck this box. This is the main reason extensions keep hiding — unchecking it makes them visible.
- Click Apply and then OK.
This method tends to stick through reboots, making it more reliable. Sometimes, you might need to combine both approaches or revisit the settings after updates. Also, it’s worth poking around in Settings > Privacy & Security > For Developers or File Explorer options if Windows gives you a hard time after updates.
Why Bother? What’s the Point?
Being able to see file extensions at a glance helps prevent you from opening dodgy files by mistake—especially from shady download sites. Plus, it makes organising and identifying files a whole lot easier, so you don’t have to guess if that icon’s a Word doc or a hidden executable. It’s a tiny tweak, but it saves heaps of time and hassle. Once you get it sorted, you’ll wonder why you ever left it hidden.
To be fair, Windows can make this more complicated than it needs — sometimes, even after changing the settings, you might need to restart Windows Explorer for the changes to take hold. If that’s the case, right-click the taskbar, choose Task Manager, find Windows Explorer, right-click on it, then hit Restart. That usually does the trick.
If you’re feeling a bit more tech-savvy or managing multiple devices, there are scripts and third-party tools like Winhance that can tweak Explorer settings across the board—not always necessary, but handy if you want a more permanent or automated fix.
In Summary
- Open File Explorer with Windows + E
- Go to View or Folder Options
- Tick the box for File name extensions
- If extensions still hide, uncheck Hide extensions for known file types in Folder Options
- Remember, Explorer might need a quick restart to see the changes
Final Thoughts
Getting file extensions to show up in Windows 11 is a handy little trick that helps avoid mistakes and keeps your files under control. It might not be the flashiest tweak, but it definitely saves you a headache or two. If the setting acts up after updates, just revisit Folder Options or give Explorer a quick restart. And don’t forget, a reboot after changing settings never goes astray — Windows can be a bit quirky. Hope this helps you cut through the clutter and spot your files faster!