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To show filename extensions in Windows 11, open File Explorer and select View > Show > File name extensions. If you want to change the advanced Folder Options setting instead, clear Hide extensions for known file types on the View tab.

Show file extensions from File Explorer

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Select View > Show > File name extensions.

Windows will display extensions such as .txt or .jpg at the ends of filenames. Microsoft documents this current menu route in its File Explorer in Windows guidance.

Use the advanced Folder Options setting

  1. In File Explorer, select View > Show > Options to open Folder Options.
  2. Open the View tab.
  3. Clear Hide extensions for known file types.
  4. Apply or confirm the change if those controls appear in the dialog.

Showing hidden files is a separate setting

Showing filename extensions does not reveal hidden files or folders. To display hidden items, select View > Show > Hidden items. In Folder Options, the equivalent control is Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Microsoft lists both controls in its File Explorer guidance.

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What an extension tells you—and what it does not do

A filename consists of a name and an extension; the extension indicates the file type and can help identify which applications work with it. Renaming the extension changes the filename, not the file’s format. For example, changing a document’s suffix is not a substitute for exporting or converting it with an appropriate application. See Microsoft’s explanation of common file name extensions in Windows.

Quick Recap

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Dell Latitude 5420 14' FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
Dell Latitude 5420 14" FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
256 GB SSD of storage.; Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM; Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
$285.00
Bestseller No. 3
HP 14' HD Laptop, Windows 11, Intel Celeron Dual-Core Processor Up to 2.60GHz, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, Webcam, Dale Pink (Renewed)
HP 14" HD Laptop, Windows 11, Intel Celeron Dual-Core Processor Up to 2.60GHz, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, Webcam, Dale Pink (Renewed)
14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
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Best Value
Windows 11 Laptop with i3 Processor 15.6" Work Laptop for College Students
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Rank #2
Dell Latitude 5420 14" FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
  • 256 GB SSD of storage.
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  • Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.

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