Forum Discussion
Solved Windows 11 File Explorer not showing executable file extension (exe).
Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build 22631.3880
My File Explorer isn't showing executable file extensions; it lists a program's name minus the "exe" suffix, while the extensions of every other file type are displayed.
I already have 'View->File name extensions' checked, and have confirmed that hide extensions for known file types is unchecked in Explorer Properties for all folders.
I've run "sfc /SCANNOW" and Windows Defender without issue. Booting into Safe Mode made no difference, either.
Windows, by default, tries to be "helpful" and sometimes hides file extensions for known file types to make things seem simpler. But as you've discovered, this can lead to confusion and potential security risks. You've confirmed that the standard settings aren't the issue, which means something else is overriding those settings.
3 Replies
Windows, by default, tries to be "helpful" and sometimes hides file extensions for known file types to make things seem simpler. But as you've discovered, this can lead to confusion and potential security risks. You've confirmed that the standard settings aren't the issue, which means something else is overriding those settings.
Deleting this registry value got the exe file extension to show in Windows File Explorer:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\NeverShowExt
I'm still unsure what caused that value to be entered into the registry, in the first place.
If you're still experiencing issues after trying all these steps, it might be advisable to reach out to Microsoft support for further assistance. There could be a more specific issue at play related to your build or system configuration. Good luck, and hopefully, you’ll have those .exe extensions showing up soon!
