Selecting a filename including file extension in Windows 7

[Thomas Wiedmann]

Hello,

trying to copy a filename by mouse click in the Explorer only the raw
filename without extension is selected in Windows Vista and 7. Of course the
selection may be enhanced by the file type.
When I do the same with Windows XP the entire filename including the
extension is selected.
What has to be done to get in Windows Vista and 7 the selection behaviour of
Windows XP, i. e. the selection of the entire filename by clicking on the
file; is there a way of configuration, e. g. by the registry?

Thomas Wiedmann

[Char Jackson]

Post by Thomas Wiedmann
trying to copy a filename by mouse click in the Explorer only the raw
filename without extension is selected in Windows Vista and 7. Of course the
selection may be enhanced by the file type.
When I do the same with Windows XP the entire filename including the
extension is selected.
What has to be done to get in Windows Vista and 7 the selection behaviour of
Windows XP, i. e. the selection of the entire filename by clicking on the
file; is there a way of configuration, e. g. by the registry?

Here's my take. I actually like the new way of doing it, but once in
awhile I really do want the entire filename.extension to be selected.
I select the target file with the mouse or keyboard, then I either
click on it or press F2. At that point, with only the main part of the
filename selected, I either drag the mouse across the entire filename
(including the extension), or I hit Ctrl-A to 'select all'.

I don't know of a registry tweak that reverts to the old way of
selecting the filename and extension by default.

[Thomas Wiedmann]

Thanks for the info.

Thomas

[r***@yahoo.com]

Post by Thomas Wiedmann
Hello,
trying to copy a filename by mouse click in the Explorer only the raw
filename without extension is selected in Windows Vista and 7. Of course the
selection may be enhanced by the file type.
When I do the same with Windows XP the entire filename including the
extension is selected.
What has to be done to get in Windows Vista and 7 the selection behaviour of
Windows XP, i. e. the selection of the entire filename by clicking on the
file; is there a way of configuration, e. g. by the registry?
Thomas Wiedmann

YOu are right. They SHOULD HAVE JUST LEFT IT ALONE FROM WINDOWS XP TO WINDOWS 7. But NO! Microsoft had to mess with something that didn't need to change. Some people like it, some people don't. So you are not going to please everyone, so JUST LEAVE IT ALONE!

But my take is that Microsoft is feeling the pressure from Linux users because Linux and Unix DON'T use file extensions. So, Microsoft, when designing Windows 7 said, "Look! We don't use file extensions JUST LIKE LINUX! See!" We are JUST LIKE LINUX!! lying to themselves and Windows users because we ALL know that ALL windows files DO USE FILE EXTENSIONS ARE NOT USEABLE WITHOUT THEM!! Just try copying a windows file without the hassle of including the file extension and see just what Windows does with it. IT HAS NO CLUE how to use it.

The problem is that Microsoft didn't CONSIDER that the text AFTER the dot just might NOT be an extension but that it could be a TIME STAMP! OR a FILE GENERATION CODE and is a VERY important part of the file name that CAN'T BE LEFT OFF if it is to be used!!! DUH! WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK THAT!?!?!, says Microsoft. In fact, I am a database administrator and MOST FILES I receive are from UNIX and have a time stamp after the period and Microsoft screwing it up makes more of a hassle for me.

[r***@yahoo.com]

Post by r***@yahoo.com

Post by Thomas Wiedmann
Hello,
trying to copy a filename by mouse click in the Explorer only the raw
filename without extension is selected in Windows Vista and 7. Of course the
selection may be enhanced by the file type.
When I do the same with Windows XP the entire filename including the
extension is selected.
What has to be done to get in Windows Vista and 7 the selection behaviour of
Windows XP, i. e. the selection of the entire filename by clicking on the
file; is there a way of configuration, e. g. by the registry?
Thomas Wiedmann

YOu are right. They SHOULD HAVE JUST LEFT IT ALONE FROM WINDOWS XP TO WINDOWS 7. But NO! Microsoft had to mess with something that didn't need to change. Some people like it, some people don't. So you are not going to please everyone, so JUST LEAVE IT ALONE!
But my take is that Microsoft is feeling the pressure from Linux users because Linux and Unix DON'T use file extensions. So, Microsoft, when designing Windows 7 said, "Look! We don't use file extensions JUST LIKE LINUX! See!" We are JUST LIKE LINUX!! lying to themselves and Windows users because we ALL know that ALL windows files DO USE FILE EXTENSIONS ARE NOT USEABLE WITHOUT THEM!! Just try copying a windows file without the hassle of including the file extension and see just what Windows does with it. IT HAS NO CLUE how to use it.
The problem is that Microsoft didn't CONSIDER that the text AFTER the dot just might NOT be an extension but that it could be a TIME STAMP! OR a FILE GENERATION CODE and is a VERY important part of the file name that CAN'T BE LEFT OFF if it is to be used!!! DUH! WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK THAT!?!?!, says Microsoft. In fact, I am a database administrator and MOST FILES I receive are from UNIX and have a time stamp after the period and Microsoft screwing it up makes more of a hassle for me.

[Char Jackson]

Post by r***@yahoo.com

Post by Thomas Wiedmann
Hello,
trying to copy a filename by mouse click in the Explorer only the raw
filename without extension is selected in Windows Vista and 7. Of course the
selection may be enhanced by the file type.
When I do the same with Windows XP the entire filename including the
extension is selected.
What has to be done to get in Windows Vista and 7 the selection behaviour of
Windows XP, i. e. the selection of the entire filename by clicking on the
file; is there a way of configuration, e. g. by the registry?
Thomas Wiedmann

YOu are right. They SHOULD HAVE JUST LEFT IT ALONE FROM WINDOWS XP TO WINDOWS 7. But NO! Microsoft had to mess with something that didn't need to change. Some people like it, some people don't. So you are not going to please everyone, so JUST LEAVE IT ALONE!
But my take is that Microsoft is feeling the pressure from Linux users because Linux and Unix DON'T use file extensions. So, Microsoft, when designing Windows 7 said, "Look! We don't use file extensions JUST LIKE LINUX! See!" We are JUST LIKE LINUX!! lying to themselves and Windows users because we ALL know that ALL windows files DO USE FILE EXTENSIONS ARE NOT USEABLE WITHOUT THEM!! Just try copying a windows file without the hassle of including the file extension and see just what Windows does with it. IT HAS NO CLUE how to use it.
The problem is that Microsoft didn't CONSIDER that the text AFTER the dot just might NOT be an extension but that it could be a TIME STAMP! OR a FILE GENERATION CODE and is a VERY important part of the file name that CAN'T BE LEFT OFF if it is to be used!!! DUH! WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK THAT!?!?!, says Microsoft. In fact, I am a database administrator and MOST FILES I receive are from UNIX and have a time stamp after the period and Microsoft screwing it up makes more of a hassle for me.

You seem pretty sure of yourself, so I'm not sure how well this will
go over, but you're completely wrong.

The only time 'selecting' a file leaves the extension unselected is
when renaming the file. Selecting a file for moving, copying, or
whatever (besides renaming) always selects the whole thing, extension
included.