Renaming files

When I rename a file on my computer, I just have to type in the name only and the extension (file type) is maintained. However, another employee in our office has to actually type in the new name with the extension. I'm thinking they must have something set differently somewhere in Windows XP. Can anyone help?

 

so on one computer do you actually see the file extension like: .xxx ( with DOT) and the other doesn't?

open a folder and go tools/folder options> view tab....compare the option..."Hide extensions for known file types"

 

No - that's not it. Her computer does display the extensions. It's just that when she tried to rename a file, she has to type in everything - for example: testfile.pdf

On my computer, I can just type testfile, and it will retain the pdf extension of the original filename.

 

doesn't make sense, I have my folder settings set to show file extensions...when i choose to rename a file either by right click menu or clicking the name once...it highlights the name and extension, I either have to retype the whole thing or just edit the portion before the extension by clicking a second time to put the cursor inside? To hide the extension is what protects people from messing up their file extensions...?

 

I'm betting that beim4 is running Vista -- Unlike XP, when renaming files in Vista, it excludes the extension. They changed this to keep people from accidentally changing the extension if the system is set to display them.
On XP the only workaround is to hide extensions, or un-highlight the extension, or type the whole thing.

HTH

Jerry

 

Vista still has folder options to hide or unhide the extensions, Vista hides Tools menu ( which contains folder options) by default.

 

True, but even with extensions being displayed, Vista does not highlight the extension when you hit F2 to rename a file, or click a selected file. It only highlights the name.

 

I like that...it's an improvement!

 

Mimic Vista's File Rename Feature in XP
http://lifehacker.com/355580/mimic-vistas-file-rename-feature-in-xp

 

Figured it out. It was the View of that particular window. After I checked the "hide extensions" settings, I thought about it later - she had that window set to display details, rather than show just icons. Feel kinda dumb! But that was the difference. When I changed it to show icons, like my computer, then I could rename the file typing in only the filename w/o the extension.

Solved!

 

Strange, even in Icons view on my XP system I still have to type the extension, but hey if it works for you, that's all that matters.

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Jerry