[Terry Farrell]

Far more likely a Windows Update removed.

Terry

"Ron O'Brien" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the explanation Jay.

One really strange thing is this morning the thing happened again! All the
file extensions are visible and the tick has gone from the 'Hide File
Extensions for Known File Types' option.
I've run a virus check and spyware/malware check no problems - just weird
why all of a sudden this is happening

Ron



"Jay Freedman" wrote in message
...
Viruses, like other programs, have no trouble dealing with files whose
extensions are hidden from view. It's people who have trouble with them.
A virus can write a file named "ClickMe.doc.exe" on your disk and force
it to display a document icon. If all you see is "ClickMe.doc" because
you have the (real) extensions hidden, you're more likely to assume it's
safe to double-click it, expecting a document to open. In that instant,
whatever damage the virus writer intended is done.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup
so all may benefit.

Ron O'Brien wrote:
That is what has happened, somehow between switching my PC off last
night and turning it on again this morning the 'Hide File Extensions
for Known File Types' became unticked!!!

Sorry, are you saying that if I do hide file extensions, (i.e. tick
that option) that creates a security issue? As I would have thought
that hiding the extension would make it more difficult for a virus
infection
Ron


"Terry Farrell" wrote in message
...
That is absolutely normal unless you enable the Hide File Extensions
for Known File Types in Explorer. However, this is a security risk
as it opens the door for a virus infection. You should not use that
option and MS should remove it.

--
Terry Farrell - MSWord MVP

"Ron O'Brien" wrote in message
...
Graham,

I think you may have misinterpreted my problem (probably me not
explaining it fully).

Normally when I go to open a document I have previously created I
would go to File \ open and the open dialogue box appears with just
the file names in for example: Document01. Now however, when that
dialogue box appears that file is shown as: Document01.doc It is
the same with MS Works, only files appear with the .wps visible

Ron