Computer Tips / Basic / Windows / File Extensions

File Extensions

The first tip I wish to post is something that everyone should have turned on.
Have you ever been sent an email with a picture attached that promises funny cats. Only to have it turn out to be a virus. Well if you have File extension on it will say "cats.jpg" or "cats.png" if it is a picture. "cats.exe" is a program and can do nasty things.
So File Extensions basically tells you what it is. After the tutorial I will list the common file extensions and what they do. If in doubt Google it.

Windows

Although Microsoft recently updated there OS to be more tablet friendly. All of the core parts are the same. So here is how to turn on file extensions:

1. On Windows 8 type in "Control Panel" in the search bar. All other Windows click start then control panel should be in the menu. If in doubt use the search bar. you should get a window that looks like this.
   
2. Click on the search bar and type in "Folder Options" choosing the first link and you should get this menu.
   
3. Find the tick box that has "Hide extensions for known file types" and unclick it
4. And you're done!