Display file extensions under Windows32

File Extensions are important because the tell many programs (and the users themselves) what kind of file it is. For example; you may have two different files: 

asong.mp3 
asong.txt 

The highlighted/red portions of the filename above is called the File Extension of the file. Under Windows, the file extension usually denotes the type of file it is.

The first is obviously an MP3 audio file which can be played/converted with various software available on the internet. 
The .txt file may be a short description (human readable) of the file which might contain a short author biography. With the default configuration of windows, these extensions would be hidden from the user, leading to confusion. As such, file extensions are an important part of the file. 

File extensions are also used by some file trading services to "hide" the fact that they are really MP3 files. Cases in point:
http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/CDMASTER/wwwboard/messages/191.html
http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/CDMASTER/wwwboard/messages/192.html
http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/CDMASTER/wwwboard/messages/193.html

in these cases, it is usually enough to simply rename the file to the proper extension and and the file will play correctly.

Configuring Windows to show these file extensions is easy. Follow our easy 10-step tutorial and you can rename/view these files as they were intended:

(Please NOTE: The tutorial above was created under WinXP, Microsoft's latest operating system. Performing the same steps under Win95, Win9x, WinNT, or Win2000 will yield the same results. The only thing that might change between Operating system is the exact item to uncheck in the Folder Option/View window [Step #6 below].)

A textual description of the picture above:

1. With your computer on, click the Start menu.
2. Click on Windows Explorer to open the files on your computer. (Note: Under some earlier operating systems; Microsoft buried Windows Explorer under the Program Files / Accessories area of the start menu)
3. Once Explorer load, click the Tools menu
4. followed by the Folder Options sub menu item. This will load the Folder Options window.
5. Once the Folder Options window appears, Click the View Tab.
6. Scroll down under advanced settings and locate: 
   Hide extensions for known file types 
   and uncheck this box.
7. Click the Apply button.
8. Ensure that all folders display the file extensions by click the Apply to All Folders button under Folder Views.
9. Click the OK button
10. followed by the X to close the Folder Options window.

I hope you found this tutorial easy to understand and follow. 

While you here, check out our other Music / Audio related Tutorials.

[Home]	[CDMaster32 Home]	[Download Sites]	[Order Online]	[Tutorials]