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Turning On File Extensions

Every file in your computer has a multiple letter "file extension" that identifies what type of file it is, and tells Windows what application to open when you click on it.  For instance, when you click on a ".jpg" file, Windows opens your default graphics application.

When you are working with web pages, the extensions are things like .htm, .html, and .shtml, and you must be able to see them.  Windows now hides them by default, however.

So, let's fix that.  Open up "My Documents", and click on the "Tools" pull-down menu, then "Folder Options".  That brings up the "Folder Options" dialog box, which has 4 notebook tabs at the top.  Click on the "View" tab, then scroll down in the window below until you can see the "Hidden Files and Folders" folder.  (Say that 3 times fast!)  You should be looking at this now:

I recommend that you set your system up like this one, with "Show Hidden Files and Folders" active as well, but at the very least, you must UNCHECK the "Hide Extensions For Known File Types" box.

Now simply click the "Apply" button at the bottom FIRST, then the "Apply To All Folders" at the top.  You are done, and can "OK" out of it.

You should now see 3 or 4 letter file name extensions, (or occasionally 5), on all your files (not folders).  Finally, click through a couple of folders and see that the change did get applied "to all folders"!  You know Windows!