Intended For Windows XP Windows 2000 Windows Me Windows 98 Windows 95

By default, Windows is configured to hide filename extensions, the (usually three-leter) portion of the filename following the period. Aside from creating a knowledge gap between experienced and inexperienced users, this "feature" also can make it difficult to differentiate files with the same filename prefix. Overall, hiding filename extensions makes Windows more difficult to use.

• Open My Computer, and select Folder Options from the Tools menu (or choose Options from the View menu in Windows 95).
• Click on the View tab, turn off Hide MS-DOS file extensions for known file types, and press OK.