Show file extensions

29 April 2005 · 0 comments

A trap for Web designers (and others): the default setting on both Windows and Mac is to hide file extensions. This means that a file that’s really called MyFile.txt looks as though it’s called MyFile. Web designers need to know whether it’s MyFile.txt or MyFile.html or MyFile.jpg and so on. To put this right and [...]

A trap for Web designers (and others): the default setting on both Windows and Mac is to hide file extensions. This means that a file that’s really called MyFile.txt looks as though it’s called MyFile. Web designers need to know whether it’s MyFile.txt or MyFile.html or MyFile.jpg and so on.

To put this right and to have more control over what you’re seeing on your computer take these easy steps.

Mac OS X users

Go to the Finder and choose Finder menu — Preferences — Advanced. Now check the box for Show all file extensions.

Windows users

  1. Open My Computer / Windows Explorer.
  2. Tools — Folder Options
  3. View
  4. Uncheck “Hide file extentions for known file types”
  5. Apply and OK

With thanks to the Wise Women mailing list for the discussion and the Windows instructions.

Be the first to comment ⇒

Tell us what you think.
Note: there may be a delay before your comment appears. I now approve all comments from new visitors, in an attempt to keep spam at bay.

Add your Comment

Older Post:

Newer Post: