How to change file extension in Windows 10 and get Windows to show file extensions?

Each file has its own extension, and due to this extension the operating system is able to identify it. This identification is necessary in order to determine the program that can work with a specific file or an action that must be performed when you click on it. An extension is a set of letters, and it is indicated after the file’s name. There are many situations when you need to see the file extension or change it, but Windows is hiding file extensions from all users by default. In the framework of this article we will explain how get Windows 10 to show file extensions or change them if necessary.

Table of contents:
1. How to get Windows 10 to show file extensions 
- First method: through the file explorer
- Second method: through the "run" line
2. How to change file extension in Windows 10

How to get Windows 10 to show file extensions

Windows operating system is setting parameters that can be considered optimal for mass user by default. That is why many features are initially disabled, including the opportunity to see file extensions. In the folders and on the desktop, users are able to see only file names, whereas when you turn on the extension display mode, the file name is displayed first, followed by the extension.

It should be noted that there are two methods to configure Windows 10 so that file extensions will be shown to users.

First method: through the file explorer

To get Windows 10 to show file extensions you must go to File Explorer. You can do this in different ways – open any folder, press the Windows + E key combination on the keyboard, or click the “Start” button, and select “File Explorer” in the menu that opens.

When the File Explorer is launched, find the “View” column in the top menu and click it with the left mouse button, after this you are going to see new menu items.

Check the box next to “File name extensions”. After this is done each file on your computer will have not only its name displayed but also its extension.

Second method: through the “run” line

This method is even easier than the one described above. To enable file extensions in Windows 10 this way, you need to press Windows + R key combination on the keyboard to open the window with the “Run” line. Now write the following command in it:

RunDll32.exe shell32.dll, Options_RunDLL 7

After the command is written (or copied), press Enter. Now you are going to see menu with the File Explorer parameters. You will have to scroll almost to the very end in the “Advanced settings” column and find the “Hide extensions for known file types” item. If you want the file extensions to be displayed in Windows 10, uncheck the box next to this item, as shown in the screenshot.

Those two methods of getting Windows 10 to show file extensions in Windows do not differ in results, and both are very simple and easy to execute. But it should be remembered that the extensions of most files should not be edited, otherwise it may lead to irreversible consequences, including data loss.

How to change file extension in Windows 10

Once the file extension has been enabled, you can change it. To do this, you must be sure that the data contained in the file will not be affected when the extension is changed. In addition, by changing the file type, you give Windows a command to open it using a specific application.

To change the file extension, you must do the following:

1. Right-click on the file and select “Rename”;
2. If you got Windows 10 to show you file extensions, it will be possible to change not only the name, but also the characters after the dot. Write the extension that you need and press Enter, and then in the new dialog box confirm your desire to change the file extension.

Before changing the file extension, make sure that the data in it can be run using the program in which you are planning to open it. It is sometimes easier to find special software for a specific type of file, rather than changing it manually.