220-1102 Question 141
Single answerFile Explorer OptionsA help desk technician is assisting a user who cannot identify file types in a shared project folder because several files have similar names but different formats. The user says all files appear with the same naming pattern, such as "budget" and "budget(1)," without any visible indication of whether they are Excel, PDF, or text files. The technician wants to make it easier for the user to distinguish files by type directly in File Explorer without opening them. Which action should the technician take?
- A
In File Explorer Options, clear the setting "Hide extensions for known file types"
- B
In File Explorer Options, enable "Launch folder windows in a separate process"
- C
In File Explorer Options, select "Always show icons, never thumbnails"
- D
In File Explorer Options, clear the setting "Hide protected operating system files"
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best solution is to disable the File Explorer option "Hide extensions for known file types." In Windows, this setting controls whether common file extensions are shown in File Explorer. When extensions are visible, users can immediately tell the difference between files such as budget.xlsx, budget.pdf, and budget.txt without opening them. This is practical in business environments where users work with similarly named files in shared folders. It also aligns with common security best practices, because visible extensions help users detect misleading filenames, such as a file that appears to be a document but is actually an executable with a hidden extension. Microsoft documentation for File Explorer folder options and standard Windows administration guidance support using File Explorer Options to show file extensions when users need to identify file types accurately.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Clearing "Hide extensions for known file types" causes File Explorer to display file name extensions such as .xlsx, .pdf, and .txt. This is the most direct way to help a user distinguish between files with similar names but different formats. It is also a common best practice for troubleshooting and security awareness, because visible extensions can help users identify unexpected or suspicious file types.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. "Launch folder windows in a separate process" changes how File Explorer windows are handled in memory and can improve isolation if Explorer crashes, but it does not affect whether file extensions are shown. A user might choose this option because it sounds related to File Explorer behavior, but it does not solve the file type visibility problem.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. "Always show icons, never thumbnails" affects whether previews are generated for supported files such as images or documents. While icons may sometimes hint at a file type, this setting does not reliably display the actual extension and would not address the user's need to clearly identify formats like Excel, PDF, or text files by name.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Clearing "Hide protected operating system files" reveals critical system files that are hidden by default to prevent accidental modification. This setting is unrelated to ordinary document extensions and is generally not recommended unless performing advanced system troubleshooting. Someone might choose it because it also involves hidden items, but it does not display extensions for normal known file types.