Personalization Change Copy Name Extension in 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 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.

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








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.

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)

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.






1 Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).

2 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below step 3)


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