How do I get a File Extension sort column in Windows Explorer?

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In Windows 8, I can have file extensions as a separate column. (The column shows the “File extension” in it’s own column without the wordiness of the “File Type” column.)

I would like to get that specific column in my Windows 7, probably with “Hide extensions for known file types” box checked, which option just widens the file name column.

My goal is to identify my files by their first 5,6,7 or 8 letters (not the whole filename.ext), and the extension type, by it’s own sortable column.

Last time I posted this, I was not clear and got all kinds of advice how to un”Hide extension for known..” and How to enable “File Type” column. OK. Thanks. I got that. Sorry, don’t need it, now. (Didn’t need it then, but clarity of thought and writing should help. I hope I’m clearer, now.)

I want something different from what was understood on that post. I don’t know if some registry setting got changed on my computer, or, if Windows 7 just flat out can’t have the “File Extension” column like Vista had and Windows 8 has.

–If I were lucky enough to get that far, I’d like to figure out how to shorten the width of the File Extension to about 5 characters. Windows 8 wants to display most of the label (about 8 characters wide), instead of a lesser minimum default width.

I hope to get all the info relevant to me in the narrowest Windows Explorer window with near-minimal (characters) — file name(10), date/time(12), extension(5), size(8-10). That all presupposes a font that I can read — typically like and Arial 8,9, or 10.

Thanks for any and all input!

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You can add a type column in Windows 7, but the width can only be set visually, by dragging the border of the column to the left or the right. To get a type column, right click over the header in the right page of Windows explorer (near the name header, if you want) and check the Type option in the popup menu.

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Thanks.

That gets me part way there. I can also right-click in the headers, click “More,” highlight a column (i.e. “Type”) and set the width in pixels, but if I take it down too much, that setting truncates all the Microsoft Yada files (Doc, Docx, Excel, PowerPoint, etc….)

I’m hoping for a registry edit, add-in, or something similar to get me to the actual extension letters .

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Thanks.

That gets me part way there. I can also right-click in the headers, click “More,” highlight a column (i.e. “Type”) and set the width in pixels, but if I take it down too much, that setting truncates all the Microsoft Yada files (Doc, Docx, Excel, PowerPoint, etc….)

I’m hoping for a registry edit, add-in, or something similar to get me to the actual extension letters .

I am not aware of such a registry key, but then I am not a registry expert.

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