10 bad default settings you need to change in Windows – Computerworld

Windows default #3: Hidden extensions

Everyone should have file extensions visible on Windows. It’s crazy they’re not enabled by default in 2025. This isn’t just a geeky thing — it’s important for security. This will help you distinguish between a virus named Report.pdf.exe and a real document named Report.pdf.

To unhide file extensions in Windows 11, launch File Explorer, click the “View” button on the toolbar, point to “Show,” and activate “File name extensions.” On Windows 10, open File Explorer, click the “View” button on the ribbon, and activate “File name extensions” under Show/hide.

Windows default #4: Browser data access

Whenever you launch Edge for the first time, it asks if you want to make your Edge experience better by importing data from other browsers. Edge can do this automatically if you don’t read closely, and it may be regularly slurping up browsing data from Chrome.