ZIP File Support - Restore

How to Restore the Built-in ZIP File Support in Vista​

   Information

This will show you how to restore the built-in ZIP file support in Vista by restoring the ZIP file association.

   Note

You may have used a program like WinZip, WinRar, or some other Zip program and Vista will now not go back to it's default Zip handler in explorer after you uninstalled the other program.

   Tip

If when you try to open a ZIP folder and it does not open in a Windows Explorer window, then turn on Compressed Folders. See related link below for how.

   Warning

This must be done while logged on to a administrator account.

Here's How:

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1. Click on the download button below and save the zipfix_vista.reg file to your desktop.​

NOTE: This also contains the reg file to turn on Compressed Folders.​

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

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3. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up. (See screenshot below)​

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

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5. When done, you can delete the downloaded zipfix_vista.reg file if you like.​

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6. Restart the computer to apply changes.​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Turn Compressed Folders On or Off 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

 

[cptcanuck2]

It's important to note that this tutorial must be done in the Administrator account, and afterwards to get the yellow folders with zippers again, you open the command prompt as an administrator, say yes. Now from there type:
cmd /c assoc .zip=CompressedFolder .

 

[leeeileenyl]

Hi. Thanks for all the help. I've done everything and it looks like its back to normal but when I tried to open the compressed folder, it says "Application not found." I checked the properties page and it says the file is opened by an unknown application. This is the same for all the zip files that I have. Is there a way to open the compressed folders without extracting, like before? Sorry for the trouble and thanks in advance!

 

[Brink]

Hello Leeeileenyl, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You may need to also turn on Compressed Folders. Did you restart the computer afterwards. Sometimes this is required to fully apply the changes.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/93827-zip-file-compressed-folders.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[leeeileenyl]

Yes. I've done all that. But it still says that the application is not found. Do I need to change the default opening program?

 

[Brink]

Strange, merging the REG file should have changed the default association for ZIP back to Compressed Folders for you.


Try this alternative method.

• Open a elevated command prompt. (http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/181765-elevated-command-prompt.html)
• In the command prompt, type cmd /c assoc .zip=CompressedFolder and press Enter.

 

[leeeileenyl]

It still doesn't work...the default association is an unknown application. Everything else is fine. I can extract the files but can't open the compressed file itself without extracting.

Sorry to be such a bother!

 

[Brink]

When you say "open the compressed file itself...", do you mean as in this tutorial below?

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/93827-zip-file-compressed-folders.html

 

[leeeileenyl]

Yes. I've already tried that...turned it on but couldn't open the folders. It keeps saying that the application could not be found.

 

[Brink]

I see. It is usually normal that you need to extract the file first before you can open it. Vista will just allow you to see it in a compressed folder in Windows Explorer without extracting it, but usually not open it until extracted.

 

[Laurelin]

I followed the How to Restore the Built-in ZIP File Support in Vista and the Compressed File tutorials. Now when I try to extract a file, the Extaction Wizard says:

"Cannot complete the Compressed (zipped) Folders Extraction Wizard

The compressed (zipped) folder is empty. Before you can extract files, you must copy files to this compressed (zipped) folder."

How do I fix this?

 

[Brink]

I followed the How to Restore the Built-in ZIP File Support in Vista and the Compressed File tutorials. Now when I try to extract a file, the Extaction Wizard says:

"Cannot complete the Compressed (zipped) Folders Extraction Wizard

The compressed (zipped) folder is empty. Before you can extract files, you must copy files to this compressed (zipped) folder."

How do I fix this?

Hello Laurelin,

It seems like the ZIP file is empty giving this error. As a test, see if you can extract the shortcut without any problems from the ZIP file in Method One of this tutorial.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/70009-show-desktop.html

If it still will not work, then you might try the free program 7-Zip to see how it works for you.

7-Zip

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[leeeileenyl]

I see. Is there a reason why I was able to see the contents of my compressed file without extracting before but not now? Thanks.

 

[Brink]

Leeeileenyl,

I have updated the reg download in this tutorial to include more default ZIP settings. Please download and merge it to see if restores your default Vista ZIP feature.

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

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[leeeileenyl]

It's still the same. But at least I can extract the files now. Thanks anyway! =D

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Leeeileenyl.

You might consider doing a System Restore using a restore point dated before this problem to fix it.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66971-system-restore.html

 

[leeeileenyl]

Thanks! I've already tried doing system restore before but everytime I try, I says that the maximum number of secrets that may be stored in a single file has been exceeded.

 

[ACT Trainer]

Brink,

My File Association for .zip files disappeared as the others above.

After running Merge on zipfix_vista.reg I received an error "target/destination object not found"?? After running vistazip.reg the .zip Association was changed to IE and I had the same problems as jamepc (12/4/07).

Your advice "You want the compressed folder to be opened with Windows Explorer. (C:\Windows\explorer.exe) The Zip file is associated with Compressed Folders." Worked for me as well. Thank you.

I am curious if that wasn't the problem from the start. Any thoughts?

 

[Brink]

You're welcome ACT Trainer.

That sounds like it was the problem to start off with. It looks like Compressed Folders had gotten associated with IE7 (iexplorer.exe) instead of Windows Explorer (explorer.exe).

 

[rocky7st]

I don't know what happened to change the default zip opener but it seems to be associated with an unknown application.

When I merge the zipfix_vista.reg I get "application not found" and in the properties window next the "Open with" column I get unknown application. If I change my .zip to open with explorer.exe it works like it's meant to but the icon isn't the default one and in the right click menu I don't have the "extract all" button.

 

[Brink]

Hello Rocky, and welcome to Vista Forums.

It appears that you .reg file association is off as well. Double check in Default Programs (Method Two at link) to make sure that the .reg file extension type has Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe) set as it's "Current Program" to be opened with. Afterwards, you should be able to merge the .reg download file to restore the default .zip associations.

Hope this helps,
Shawn