Vista - ZIP File Support - Restore

**Brink**

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:

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.

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

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

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

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

6. Restart the computer to apply changes.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

**altkon** · 11-26-2007

I have tried:
to Restore Vista's Built-in Support of ZIP Files
By applying your Method 1

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.
Is there another way ???

thanks,
altkon

**Brink** · 11-26-2007

Hi Altkon,

Welcome to the forum.

It appears that you are having more than just a Zip problem. If you have a Vista installation DVD and not a Recovery (clone) DVD, then I would recommend that you do a Repair Install. It'll only take around 25 minutes. This will allow you to repair your Vista installation without losing your files, settings, and programs.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

Shawn

**altkon** · 11-27-2007

Quote: Originally Posted by brink

Hi Altkon,

Welcome to the forum.

It appears that you are having more than just a Zip problem. If you have a Vista installation DVD and not a Recovery (clone) DVD, then I would recommend that you do a Repair Install. It'll only take around 25 minutes. This will allow you to repair your Vista installation without losing your files, settings, and programs.

How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista

Shawn

Unfortunately I have only a product Recovery DVD which does not permit me to do a Repair Install.
Can it be that this defect occurred due to the installation of some other application such as Open Office Org 2.2.1 gr which I Installed to my laptop??

I have checked into my Windows>32System> and
zipfldr.dll is included at the bottom of the list.
Please comment.
Regards,
altkon

**Brink** · 11-27-2007

Altkon,

You might consider using the free program 7-ZIP instead. I use it without any problems, and it supports a lot more file formats. After it is installed, run it and click Tools -> Options and Select all file formats for this program to be associated with.

7-Zip

Shawn

jamepc · 12-04-2007

Quote:

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.

This also happened to me when I applied this method and it never happened before. My zip files are associated to open with IE when double clicked, then this loop happens. Don't double click it if IE is the default program.
I then right clicked the file and selected Extract and it worked. However now after a reboot the extract option is gone.
Why did the extract option disappear?
How do I make the default program to be Vista's unzipper? I know how to Browse for the proper application but don't know what or where it is.

Thanks,
Jamie

**Brink** · 12-04-2007

Hi Jamie,

Yeah, ZIP should not be associated to open with IE. By default it should be Compressed Folders, or a 3rd party ZIP program. Doing a method above in the tutorial will reset ZIP to associated back to Compressed Folders.

Shawn

jamepc · 12-04-2007

Thanks for your reply Shawn. Vista's unzipper is working again however I can only use it if I right click the folder and select Extract. How do I specify Vista's decompressor to start when the folder is double clicked. I can "Select from a list of installed programs" but there's no decompressor listed. I can "Browse" but don't know where or what to look for.

Thanks again,
Jamie

**Brink** · 12-05-2007

Jamie,

You will need to turn on Compressed Folders to then.

How to Turn Compressed Folders On or Off in Vista

You want the compressed folder to be opened with Windows Explorer. (C:\Windows\explorer.exe) The Zip file is associated with Compressed Folders.

Shawn

**mistah** · 04-25-2008

omg! it works. thanks alot!!! i looked everywhere and this was the only place that had the solution.

11-26-2007
altkon Vista Home Premium 32 bit 4 posts	Re: ZIP file in Vista I have tried: to Restore Vista's Built-in Support of ZIP Files By applying your Method 1 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. Is there another way ??? thanks, altkon
My System Specs

11-26-2007
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta 27,583 posts Texas, USA	Re: ZIP file in Vista Hi Altkon, Welcome to the forum. It appears that you are having more than just a Zip problem. If you have a Vista installation DVD and not a Recovery (clone) DVD, then I would recommend that you do a Repair Install. It'll only take around 25 minutes. This will allow you to repair your Vista installation without losing your files, settings, and programs. How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista Shawn
My System Specs

11-27-2007
altkon Vista Home Premium 32 bit 4 posts	Re: ZIP file in Vista Quote: Originally Posted by brink Hi Altkon, Welcome to the forum. It appears that you are having more than just a Zip problem. If you have a Vista installation DVD and not a Recovery (clone) DVD, then I would recommend that you do a Repair Install. It'll only take around 25 minutes. This will allow you to repair your Vista installation without losing your files, settings, and programs. How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista Shawn Unfortunately I have only a product Recovery DVD which does not permit me to do a Repair Install. Can it be that this defect occurred due to the installation of some other application such as Open Office Org 2.2.1 gr which I Installed to my laptop?? I have checked into my Windows>32System> and zipfldr.dll is included at the bottom of the list. Please comment. Regards, altkon
My System Specs

11-27-2007
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta 27,583 posts Texas, USA	Re: ZIP file in Vista Altkon, You might consider using the free program 7-ZIP instead. I use it without any problems, and it supports a lot more file formats. After it is installed, run it and click Tools -> Options and Select all file formats for this program to be associated with. 7-Zip Shawn
My System Specs

12-04-2007
jamepc Vista 64 10 posts	Re: ZIP file in Vista Quote: 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. This also happened to me when I applied this method and it never happened before. My zip files are associated to open with IE when double clicked, then this loop happens. Don't double click it if IE is the default program. I then right clicked the file and selected Extract and it worked. However now after a reboot the extract option is gone. Why did the extract option disappear? How do I make the default program to be Vista's unzipper? I know how to Browse for the proper application but don't know what or where it is. Thanks, Jamie
My System Specs

12-04-2007
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta 27,583 posts Texas, USA	Re: ZIP file in Vista Hi Jamie, Yeah, ZIP should not be associated to open with IE. By default it should be Compressed Folders, or a 3rd party ZIP program. Doing a method above in the tutorial will reset ZIP to associated back to Compressed Folders. Shawn
My System Specs

12-04-2007
jamepc Vista 64 10 posts	Re: ZIP file in Vista Thanks for your reply Shawn. Vista's unzipper is working again however I can only use it if I right click the folder and select Extract. How do I specify Vista's decompressor to start when the folder is double clicked. I can "Select from a list of installed programs" but there's no decompressor listed. I can "Browse" but don't know where or what to look for. Thanks again, Jamie
My System Specs

12-05-2007
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1 beta 27,583 posts Texas, USA	Re: ZIP file in Vista Jamie, You will need to turn on Compressed Folders to then. How to Turn Compressed Folders On or Off in Vista You want the compressed folder to be opened with Windows Explorer. (C:\Windows\explorer.exe) The Zip file is associated with Compressed Folders. Shawn
My System Specs

04-25-2008
mistah vista home premium x32 1 posts	Re: ZIP file in Vista omg! it works. thanks alot!!! i looked everywhere and this was the only place that had the solution.
My System Specs

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