Is there a way to show only specific file extensions?

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1

Call me crazy, but I'm sure I remember this capability existing in previous versions of Windows. In Windows 7, we can have file extensions Off... or On. Pick one. Is there some obscure switch buried in the registry to have Explorer show specific extensions, but leave the rest hidden?

In my case, I'd like to always show extensions for text files (*.txt, *.csv, *.tdt), because I frequently have to handle flat files which may come in with a .txt extension where I need it to be .csv, for example. I'd rather not have extensions on all the time, it's just clutter for almost all files.

user49214

Posted 2011-09-28T23:13:36.357

Reputation:

I recall the setting I toggle on all fresh Windows installs, is titled "Show known file type extensions" - so perhaps you can accomplish your means through editing the extension/application association list thingy. Though that sounds like a horrible solution - hence the comment rather than an answer. – James T Snell – 2011-09-28T23:22:41.293

I believe that if you disassociate the extension with a program then it will show the file extension for only that file. – kobaltz – 2011-09-28T23:34:41.670

obscure switch in registry "NeverShowExt" , works opposite of your desired intent. making the files of that extention type "superHidden" No more info provided here, use web search. it will NOT do what you want, it is just one of the registry items. – Psycogeek – 2011-09-29T05:17:15.193

@Psycogeek: AlwaysShowExt must be even more obscure, then? (It exists.) – user1686 – 2011-09-29T11:53:11.003

You have to have MI5 clearance to use it though :-) – Psycogeek – 2011-09-29T13:03:43.897

Answers

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Open the Registry Editor, navigate to HKCR (although HKCU\Software\Classes would be a better location, but most are lazy). For every file type, create a zero-length string value named AlwaysShowExt.

For example, if you have .txt:

  1. Navigate to the subkey for the extension – HKCR\.txt – and note the data stored in the "(Default)" value – it usually says txtfile.

  2. Navigate to the file type subkey HKCR\txtfile, right-click the value list, choose New → String value, and name the new value AlwaysShowExt.

Not all extensions have separate subkeys for file types – sometimes all information is kept directly under HKCR\.myext. In such cases, AlwaysShowExt goes directly to the extension subkey as well.

It is very likely that there are dedicated programs for editing file types, possibly with support for AlwaysShowExt and other flags. I don't know any to recommend, though.

user1686

Posted 2011-09-28T23:13:36.357

Reputation: 283 655

Groovy, that did it! Well, almost. Adding that tag to HKCR\txtfile and HKCR\tdt_auto_file worked for .txt, .log, and .tdt extensions, but adding it to HKCR\Excel.CSV, HKCR\.csv, and HKCR\.csv\Excel.CSV has not changed the behavior for .csv files. Is there an extra step here? – None – 2011-09-29T15:13:44.377

FYI - Restart Explorer.exe for changes to take effect. – Keith – 2014-04-15T02:25:00.897

Asked: 2011-09-28T23:13:36.357

Viewed: 3 215 times

Active: 2013-09-04T14:50:10.337