Removing file extensions

Question

I have 200 documents that I have individually renamed, without the file extension. Suddenly today, every document has a file extension on it (.docx). The problem is that the extension takes up room in how the name displays - as it only displays so many digits. So now half the name of the docs aren't displayed and some longer names are totally obscured. All I did was go into those folders and print off a couple of those documents. Suddenly there they were - the extensions. On every document.

How do I get rid of the file extensions all together, in one step? There's no way I want to keep renaming each individual document each time this happens. Thanks for any help.

I'm on a Mac Sonoma 14.4.1 with Windows 10.

Answer 1

Hello. My answer :

Win+R control.exe

in control.exe > Control Panel\All Control Panel Items >File Explorer Options

Left mouse click to check the little box I highlighted in blue below.

Your Problem should now be solved.

If it was solved please mark as answer for other users tnx.

Answer 2

Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

At the top of File Explorer, on the View menu, turn off 'File Name Extensions', that will hide the extensions.

Answer 3

Thanks for such a prompt reply! How do I find File Explorer? If I search for it in my Mac Finder Menu, I get a variety of docs etc that pop up, but nothing that looks like a program. If I click on word or excel, which brings the list of all my docs, the option under View isn't there. If I open one document and go to View, not there either. Sorry but I'm lost on finding File Explorer.

Answer 4

Where are you seeing the file extensions,, is that inside the Word application in the File Open/Save dialog and are you using a Mac or Windows PC?

if you are on a Mac, try this:

Open Finder, then go to Preferences from the Mac OS menu.

Select the Gear icon.

Tun off 'Show all filename extensions'.

Answer 5

Hey Dave,

Yes - as stated in my original question because I thought for sure you guys would ask so I was proactive lol......I am on a Mac. I am seeing the extensions when I open Finder and go to a Folder where I keep these Word documents.

So I tried what you suggested, and the "show all file extensions" is not a ticked box.

Interesting.....not every doc started showing the file extension. Those that do - are not docs I have opened recently or done anything with for a long time.

As well, when I try to rename the docs individually now.....so I remove the extension, hit enter, it then flashes the extension back at me again, and then a small icloud icon on the document icon flashes quickly - which then takes the extension back off again.