Why does windows hide extensions

New Windows security updates break network printing. Microsoft: Old Windows updates now expire to improve speed, security.

Microsoft fixes bug blocking Azure Virtual Desktops security updates. How to fix printers asking for admins creds after PrintNightmare patch. AMD fixes dozens of Windows 10 graphics driver security bugs. What is microsoft thinking by not enabling it by default? Thank you for helping to spread the word. I also think hiding the system icons near the clock on the taskbar is another security issue. HIDING information from the user is not something Microsoft should be doing by default except for maybe critical system files and folders Windows requires to run.

This has been an issue since Windows I just reviewed one of our Server images and they had extensions hidden by default. Yup, been around forever. Security risk then, security risk now. Microsoft will fix this, but you just cant rush these things. Not a member yet? Register Now. To receive periodic updates and news from BleepingComputer , please use the form below. Malwarebytes for Mac. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Farbar Recovery Scan Tool. Windows Repair All In One. Sophos Home. Previous Next. Hadrien H. Independent Advisor. Hi Harry, my name is Hadrien, an independent advisor and I'll do my best to help you today. Are you using an anti-virus, or anti-malware of any kind? Some of these softwares could be causing this issue.

Regards, Hadrien. How satisfied are you with this reply? You can disable it by going to view and unchecking the Files Name Extension if it is already checked. This is what it looks like. In reply to Hadrien H. Yes Siemens uses Trend Micro. And one additional measure: disable the default "Hide extensions for known file types" check box in Explorer. I still consider this one of the stupidest moves MS ever made in Windows.

The comment has 17 thumbs up, and comments below agreeing. I've never heard this before? How does this make a system more secure? Consider a file named doubleclick. If "Hide extensions" is enabled, then this will be shown in File Explorer as "doubleclick. You, the user, might go ahead and double click on it, because it's just a PDF, right?

It'll load up in Acrobat if you do that, right? When, in truth, it's a batch file, and whatever commands it contains will run when you double click on it. That's why "Hide extensions for known file types" is a stupid move in Security terms. It allows an attacker to create wolf files that look like sheep. This is to make sure that you don't accidentally launch an executable that makes itself appear to be a document.

This is not really a security gain in my opinion since you still have to be aware of the difference between executable files and data and what file formats have the potential to run unexpected code, however it does make it much simpler to confirm what you are clicking on when you do know what extensions mean.

Showing hidden files and folders makes it a little bit harder for malware to hide though rootkits would still conceal them and showing extensions makes sure that "MyWordFile" is actually "MyWordFile. Both only help a knowledgeable user since your average user will still open MyWordFile. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top.