This tutorial will show you how to change the default Copy name extension template to what you want for your account in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
When you copy a file or folder to the same location, a copy of that file or folder will be created with the - Copy extension added at the end of the filename by default.
This will only affect copies you create afterwards, and will not affect copies that already have the - Copy file name extension.
EXAMPLE: Default and custom "- Copy" file name extension
OPTION ONE
Change Copy Name Extension
1 Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
2 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)
If you do not have a NamingTemplates key, right click on the Explorer key, click/tap on New, click/tap on Key, type NamingTemplates for the name, and press Enter.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\NamingTemplates
3 In the right pane of the NamingTemplates key, double click/tap on the CopyNameTemplate string value (REG_SZ) to modify it. (see screenshot above)
If you do not have a CopyNameTemplate string value (REG_SZ) in the right pane of the NamingTemplates key, right click on empty space in the right pane of the NamingTemplates key, click/tap on New, click/tap on String Value, type CopyNameTemplate for the name, and press Enter.
4 Type the value data you want to use below, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
(Remove "- Copy" extension name)
%s
OR
(Custom extension name)
%s - Extension Name
OR
(Reverse custom extension name)
Extension Name - %s
Substitute Extension Name in the value data above with the actual extension name you want instead.
For example: %s - Copy
5 You can now close Registry Editor if you like.
OPTION TWO
Restore Default Copy Name Extension
1 Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).
2 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below step 3)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\NamingTemplates
3 In the right pane of the NamingTemplates key, right click or press and hold on the CopyNameTemplate string value (REG_SZ), and click/tap on Delete. (see screenshot below)
4 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
5 You can now close Registry Editor if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited: