Zip File Compressed Folders

How to Turn Compressed Folders On or Off in Vista​

   Information

By default, Vista handles ZIP files like folders. This will show you how to turn on or off the ability for Windows Explorer to treat Compressed Folders like a normal folder and open and view it the same way (on), or like a file (off). For example, ZIP files show up under the folder tree (like folders) in Windows Explorer. Vista will look inside of the ZIP files when doing searches, causing it to take longer to finish the search sometimes. If you have another 3rd party ZIP program (WinZip, 7-Zip, etc.), then this can be an annoyance to you and you may want to turn this feature off.

   Note

Compressed Folders is turned on by default on Vista.

   Warning

If you are not using a 3rd party ZIP program, that may or may not support Compressed Folders in Windows Explorer below, then you will also need to make sure that you have the default ZIP handler enabled.

For how see: How to Restore the Built-in ZIP File Support in Vista

EXAMPLE: Compressed Folders On

   Note

When on, ZIP folder contents show in the folder tree and window pane. Windows Explorer will still offer to Extract All files on the toolbar at the top.

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OPTION ONE

How to Turn Compressed Folders Off

1. Click on the Download button below this and save the file Vistaunzip.reg file to your DESKTOP.​

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2. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.​

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3. Click on Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​

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4. Restart the computer to apply the changes.​

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5. You can delete the vistaunzip.reg file after you have confirmed Compressed Folders is off if you like.​

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OPTION TWO

How to Turn Compressed Folders On

1. Click on the Download button below this and save the file vistazip.reg to your DESKTOP.​

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2. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.​

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3. Click on Run, Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​

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4. Restart your computer to apply changes.​

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5. You can delete the vistazip.reg file when you have confirmed Compresed Folders is on if you like.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Restore the Built-in ZIP File Support in Vista
• Restore Default Vista File Extension Type Associations
• How To Zip (Compress) a File or Folder in Windows
• How to Enable or Disable Zip Extracted Show Files Window

 

[sassofalco]

G'Day Shawn,

General intro;
First of all, I would like to thank-you for all of the most informative and enlightening Tutorials that bear your authorship. Always clear, concise, easy to understand and follow. I only wish that I had been told of this great Forum when I dived into the Laptop/PC Pool and started using a Computer for the first time ever, in June of 07.

This Forum resource is so rich in advice and information, that I have given details of it to the Retail Outlet from where I purchased my Laptop, and since then, two principal Salesmen have become Members, and also give out details of it, to Customers either buying, or enquiring about Vista systems.

That said, to business on this issue;
At the start of my Computer journey [and in many ways, even still] I find it hard to get my head around the process that takes place with Zipped Files, and how to manage them.

That said, an early experience with a Winzip Free Trial, left me totally confused as it seemed to me that Winzip had taken over and swamped my entire File System.

Because I couldn't [and still don't] fully understand the nuances of the Winzip system and its management, I uninstalled the whole thing, and did not take up a subscription with them at that time.

In reading this Tutorial I discover to my pleasure, that the Vista system has a pre-installed Zip File system, although mine had 'gone bush', probably at the time that I uninstalled Winzip. From that time onwards, I could not open any Zipped Files as I kept getting Error messages;
"Cannot start Winzip. Required file winzip.chm was not found....etc.", all of which confused me further.

Today I have downloaded and run both of the options of this post, and find that the Installed Vista Zip system has been restored.

The irony is, that I recently took up another 45day Free Trial with Winzip, with the intention of taking up a subscription at the end of it. Now that I find that Vista already has this function, I am asking myself of the point of paying for something that I don't really need.

I now intend uninstalling Winzip once again, and after that, confirming that the Vista function is re-established by completing the steps once again, of this Tutorial.

Question and/or Recommendations;
After uninstalling Winzip, should I go to your Tutorial -How to Restore the Built-in ZIP File Support in Vista and complete that process, before returning to this Tutorial, to repeat this exercise again?

Sound logical?

Sassofalco

 

[Brink]

Hello Sassofalco, and thank you.

Yes, you will need to do How to Restore the Built-in ZIP File Support in Vista first to restore the built in ZIP handler of Vista.

However, you might give the free 7-Zip program a try and select all of the file types in it's Tool - Options. I find it to be a great program. You might like it better.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sassofalco]

Thank YOU Shawn, the pleasure is all mine.

Can I run the installed Vista Zip system, and the 7-Zip program, side-by-side, and do both then show in the drop-down menus?

Sassofalco

 

[Brink]

Sorry Sassoflasco, it's either or and not both. 7-Zip will open it's own window to see the contents of a ZIP folder instead of being included in Windows Explorer like the built-in Vista ZIP handler. However, 7-Zip supports a ton more file types (ex: RAR) than the Vista one.

 

[sassofalco]

Sorry Sassoflasco, it's either or and not both. 7-Zip will open it's own window to see the contents of a ZIP folder instead of being included in Windows Explorer like the built-in Vista ZIP handler. However, 7-Zip supports a ton more file types (ex: RAR) than the Vista one.

G'Day Shawn,

Again thanks for your sound advice. My thoughts? If 7-Zip is good enough for Brink, then 7-Zip is good enough!!

I'd like to install the 7-Zip program that you have recommended, but before I do, I just need confirmation that I'm following the correct installation process, as follows;

1.....At your Forum Post, http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/93827-zip-file-compressed-folders.html , I turn Compressed Folders OFF in Windows Vista, - at Option One of your Tutorial.

2.....I go to, 7-Zip and Download 7-Zip 4.60 beta (2008-08-090 for Windows; .exe 32bit 857KB [for my system]. Save to Desktop, and then Run the Program from there?

3.....Is it advisable to restart my Laptop once the program has installed?

Cheers.

Sassofalco

 

[Brink]

Hi Sassofalco,

You will not need to worry about the other tutorial in your step 1.

Instead, here is what you will need to do:

• Download 7-Zip to your desktop and install it.
• Right click on the 7-Zip File Manager shortcut and click on Properties and Compatibility tab.
• Check only the Run this program as an administrator box, and click on OK.
• Run the 7-Zip pogram.
• In 7-zip, click on Tools and Options.
• Click on the Select all button and on OK.

You will be good to go now.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[sassofalco]

You Shawn, are an Inspirational Legend, above and beyond the Call of Duty!

Again, with much futile tugging of a remnant forelock, I thank'ee.

Cheers.

Sassofalco

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Sassofalco.

 

[NormCameron]

You'd be surprised how many people don't understand compressed files. I just sent this URL to my daughter in the hope she'll stop burning RAR and Zip files to CD's for me to expand.

 

[sassofalco]

G'Day Norm,

I'm not surprised. I'm astounded!!

Put me in the same Wheelie-Bin,.......and give the Sepoys a damned good thrashing.

Cheers.

Sassofalco

2nd Edition;

How many plebs know nothing about Zip Files?

Norm. Do you realise how many plebs await words of wisdom of the mysteries of Zip Files, and the keys needed to unlock and reveal the beauty of the content therein?

I have great difficulty in getting my fossilised brain around the nuances of Zip Files, because I have this much [.] understanding of them. Understanding builds confidence, which in turn creates better understanding.

Understanding and Confidence would be helped immensely, if one of 'The Upper Echelon' Members of this Forum could put together a Tutorial on the "What, Why, How, When and Whatever" of Zip Files, for the education and edification of the plebs, - 'The Great Unwashed'........The Sepoys, and Me!!

A Tutorial to this subject, perhaps posted in Vista Newsgroups>Vista File Management, and duplicated in the Tutorial Sections, would be just dandy, and handy.

Please to consider, Sahib!

 

[Momo]

Hi

Hope someone can help me :


the build in zip in vista is not working anymore. when I try to open a zipped folder, photoshop goes open instead of the built in vista.

then I installed 7-zip, this works great.
But i want to use the original vista built:

the registry tool (vistazip.reg) : this is been used but i got a window telling me to give the path to the file which have to be unzipped.

Please help me

 

[Brink]

Hello Momo, and welcome to Vista Forums.

To restore the default ZIP feature in Vista, you will need to use this tutorial instead.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/65254-zip-file-vista.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Momo]

Someone tried this out in the pas (When I double-click the zipped file to view/unzip, internet explorer launches and then that browser window maximizes, minimizes in a perpetual loop which I could only stop by shutting down / restarting the PC.)

what does this mean, that I can have the same risk? or is my case not the same? please confirm me this before I have to repair my vista, it will be easier if I know for sure it will work without repairing vista.

 

[Brink]

Momo,

Merging the .reg file in the other tutorial will restore the default ZIP association in Vista. Afterwards when you click on a .zip file, it should open as it is suppose to.

 

[OldNSlowTHB]

I would like to thank you all for this post. I, too, was having issues with extracting files with winzip. I took your advise, Brink, and uninstalled winzip and installed 7-zip. Now it's working like a champ! Thanks again!!

 

[Brink]

You're welcome OldNSlowTHB, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Shawn