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So you’ve downloaded a zip file and now you need to open it. Maybe you need to send some files to a friend via e-mail, but they need to be in a zip file to make the trip. Don’t worry about installing any software, Vista can handle zip files in a snap. There are many ways to do it as well. I saw a post at Maximumpcguides and thought why not do an illustrated guide to how I use Vista to zip and unzip.
Zipping Files and Folders
Adding files and folders to a zip file is easy in Vista. It’s easiest if you have all the files together in one location, so you can select them all at once. If they’re not, copy/move them all to one folder first. If you want all the files in one folder to be zipped, you could just zip the folder itself, or you can open the folder and select all the items within (CTRL+A on your keyboard is a quick way of doing this).
In any case, once you have selected the items you want zipped, right-click on any of them and from the menu that pops up, choose Compressed (zipped) Folder from the Sent To command.
A zip file icon will appear in the same location as the files you had selected. The name of the file is based on the files you selected, and waits for you to change it, or you could just hit your ESC key if you want to leave it as is.
Done! You’ve got a zip file with the files you selected compressed inside.
Unzipping Files and Folders
To unzip a zipped file, simply double-click the file, and Vista will open it like it would a folder, showing you the contents inside.
You can then drag files from that window to any location you choose, just like it was a normal folder.
If you want all of the files, it may be quicker to extract them all at once. To do this, just click the Extract all files button just above the file list.
You’ll be asked to choose a location to store the files (the default is the same location that your current zipped file is). By default when the extraction is finished, Vista will open a window showing the extracted files, but you can uncheck the box if you don’t want this.
That’s it, pretty simple!
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Comments
Tom
Jan 24, 2007 at 6:51 pm
That would be great if it worked. I’m sitting here in Vista Business trying to extract files and all I get are empty folders. All the screen shots are correct, but the results, well not on my machine. Any other suggestions on how to extract the files???
Joe
Jan 24, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Wow, are you sure that the zip file is good (ie their are really files inside, tried a few different zip files, etc)? Could they be system files inside, and Vista is hiding them once extracted?
Sam
Feb 5, 2007 at 12:57 am
I have used “compress” to make zip files within Vista and am now unable to ‘extract’ them. Like Tom all I get are empty folders. I repeat: these are zip archives I created from regular files IN Vista using Vista to compress them. I’m using Windows Vista Ultimate Final Release.
Al
Apr 16, 2007 at 2:41 am
I have the same problem - empty folders when trying to extract Zip files. Have tried with Zip files compressed in Vista, XP Pro and with WinZip in XP, always with the same results.
Joe
Apr 17, 2007 at 8:42 pm
There’s a thread here (forums.microsoft.com/Communities/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1150192&SiteID=6) that talks about this problem. The last post has a suggestion that they say works. If you give it a try, let us know if it works!
Kermaja
Apr 18, 2007 at 10:41 am
When I try to unzip in Vista by double clicking on the file the application (in this case PSP) tries to open the file. I must unzip first….if I highlight I do not get the option to extract. Before in XP you could right click on the file and extract. How do I unzip without the application attempting to open before I can unzip?
Faith
Apr 20, 2007 at 7:45 am
Thanks so much this worked great!
Robin
May 13, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Hi, I have an ‘extra’ problem with this that I can’t find an answer to. I want to zip a folder that contains some files and ANOTHER folder with files inside that. It is VITAL that these folders stay as they are because certain elements are ‘linked’ So far so good - I can zip it ok. Problem is when I try to unzip it in Vista I have to unzip the INNER folder too. Is there any way I can simply unzip the overall folder without having to unzip the INNER one too. If anyone has any ideas I would really appreciate them. Thanks.
Ernest
Jun 13, 2007 at 11:51 pm
It’s really nice to use the integrated unzip application in Vista. However, I’m having a problem. I’ve tried to install WinRAR, which helps me to handle all archieves. I accidentally associated all zip files to WinRAR. After that, I’m not able to open zip files using Vista. Uninstalling the program did not work on my machine. Please help! Thanks!
Joe
Jun 14, 2007 at 9:40 am
I found some info on that. Try the following, let me know how it works:
Click Start, type regedit.exe and press Enter.
Navigate to the following branch:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\[extention here]
Delete the sub-key named “UserChoice”
Close Regedit.exe
I tried this and it worked for me, though the icon doesn’t change back. I’ll do some more research on how to fix the icon and probably do a tip on the site for this. Let me know your results!
V.O
Jun 16, 2007 at 8:23 am
I’ve got a bunch of .rar and .zip files I want to extract from a usb onto my vista laptop. For some reason I keep getting errors like “Cannot create “whatever it is”. System cannot find the path specified.” This happeneds for all the files and I have no idea why any help would be appreciated.
Ernest
Jun 17, 2007 at 3:15 am
Joe, Thanks for helping! I am now able to open zip files without using WinRAR. The icon of the zip files have automatically changed into zip folders icons. I didn’t do anything to change it. xD
Paul Done
Jun 17, 2007 at 6:55 pm
I have a new one. When I double click zipped files in Vista to extract, my system goes into an endless loop with IE opening and closing. I have to restart to reset the system.
Emanuel
Jun 25, 2007 at 4:12 pm
I can’t open my old xp files when using vista
when i put a cd in i only get burn options
but vista can’t read the file
Joe
Jun 25, 2007 at 6:35 pm
This is a zip file on a CD you made in Windows XP? Sounds to me like you dragged the files to the disc, but never did the burn part, so no files are actually there. Do you have another PC you can look at the disc on to see if the file is really there?
Katy
Jun 26, 2007 at 3:52 pm
My new laptop WON’T open zip files. It’s Op System is VISTA and it’s only 2 months old. Everytime I try to unzip a file, whether from an email, to download product support/driver, etc. the screen begins to flash continuously and I must close everything down to get rid of the flashing. It’s very frustrating; please help!
Joe
Jul 2, 2007 at 9:45 am
Wow, that is peculiar indeed! If you could try opening Regedit, and go to the following path:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.zip]
Do you have a sub key called “UserChoice”? If so, delete it and see how your system works. The UserChoice key tells Vista to use a different zip program than the built in version.
Johnny
Jul 2, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Hi Joe I have the same problem as Ernest was having which was couldn’t get Vista default explorer to open zip files instead of winrar. I tried the steps you instructed but when I go down to the branch I have two sub folders called “OpenWithList” and “OpenWithProgids” and inside I cannot find the user choice subkey. Please any help would be appreciated.
Joe
Jul 2, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Right click on the ‘.zip’ key and choose export, which will save a text file that shows the settings inside. E-mail it to me at jpfieber@gmail.com and I’ll see if I can recommend a solution.
Ian
Aug 13, 2007 at 6:29 am
I’m having the same problem, only I installed WinAce. Looked in RegEdit and deleted UserChoice but Vista still doesn’t identify a program for zip.
I also noticed in RegEdit that I have a and b under my OpenWithList. Judging by the Binary Data, one of them refers to Adobe Reader and the other to Internet Explorer. Have I accidentally assigned these to the file?
I’ve deleted a and b (after checking the Binary Data for an xls file which refered me to Excel to make sure I wasn’t messing anything up) and it’s still not working.
Damn WinAce.
Johnny
Aug 19, 2007 at 9:13 am
Hi - I have Vista and am trying to extract files for an Acer update. I tried winzip some time ago and that has now expired. When I try to extract the Acer file a box opens asking me to register winzip. Can I get around this and use Vists’s own unzip facility?
George
Aug 21, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Wow. Great find. I installed winzip a few weeks ago, then uninstalled it and I couldn’t use Windows Vista’s built in unzipping. I am so glad I came across this.
The reason I installed it in the first place was to zip some files, but your post also answers that question for me.
Thanks so much!
Kathie
Sep 5, 2007 at 10:40 am
I’ve got the same problem similar to George- could not get Vista to unzip, installed Winzip but now Winzip wants me to purchase it. Should I uninstall Winzip and try HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\[extention here]?
If so, how do I close regedit?
Melissa
Sep 5, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Thanks so much for the clear, easy to follow directions. Before I found your site, I thought I was going to have to buy winzip or some program to zip my files. I was able to easily zip and unzip some files with your directions. I’ve bookmarked your page to come back to FIRST with Vista questions.
Thanks again! Melissa
Bob
Sep 5, 2007 at 5:03 pm
So I’ve followed the instructions for regedit and can now open my zip files just fine. But does anyone know how to get the compressed folder icon back? Thanks!
Lyn
Sep 13, 2007 at 12:37 am
I run vista on my computer. I installed winzip and somehow it’s taken away my windows file unzip default.
Can someone please help me?
JonJon
Sep 19, 2007 at 4:07 pm
I am trying to open a zip file and the default open with program is Word. What program should I use to open the file? Thanks.
Joe
Sep 27, 2007 at 2:48 pm
JonJon, try deleting the registry key [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.zip]
That should set it back to the default instead of trying to use Word.
Macy06
Sep 28, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I have same problem as Paul Done, June 17, “I have a new one. When I double click zipped files in Vista to extract, my system goes into an endless loop with IE opening and closing. I have to restart to reset the system”.
If anyone can help, I would certainly appreciate it.
Kindest regards,
Macy06
nxt241
Oct 2, 2007 at 3:34 am
when try to open zip file with windows explorer, it says application not found
i have used winRAR before
what should i do?
nxt241
Oct 2, 2007 at 3:51 am
the super easy way!
right click on a zip file.
click on ‘open with…’
go to \Windows\
then select ‘explorer.exe’
then click ‘ok’
now in the window it should a couple of programs including windows explorer. select windows explorer. click ‘ok’. you are done.
it worked for me.
nxt241
Oct 2, 2007 at 3:53 am
oops i meant your ‘default drive’ usually C, then ‘windows’
waungier
Oct 7, 2007 at 9:42 am
In spite of reading all the above, nothing has yet worked for me. i still cannot unzip my files (from another xp computer) and get that ‘flashing’ which has to lead to turning computer off and on to stop it! Any other ideas/
nxt241
Oct 7, 2007 at 2:21 pm
in vista it happened once, then i went to task manager (ctrl + shift + esc)
quit explorer.exe in your user
then go to file> new task
type explorer.exe
waungier
Oct 8, 2007 at 7:17 am
Many thanks nxt241!
Although I also tried to open with explorer.exe but only got ‘file not found’, the second lead you gave, led me to trying 7-zip. Voila! It works!
So why not Vista itself? Maybe some of us have earlier, untested, preinstalled copies of Vista?
Izzy
Oct 11, 2007 at 7:05 am
Thanks for the tip Joe, it worked. No more IE looping (flashing) after deleting the “user choice” sub key! I had installed winzip earlier, deleted it too.
waungier
Oct 11, 2007 at 8:55 am
I also tried Joe’s tip, and ‘user choice’ deletion did the trick. Ta, Joe!
auldane
Oct 14, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Interesting point: I just installed WinZip 11 on Vista Ultimate to see if it did better at compressing zip than Vista. It doesn’t, using default settings, at least not for what I needed compressed. The advanced options made me worry about compatibility later. So I decided I didn’t need WinZip.
I read some of the comments above, and got worried about getting my settings back. However, I just ran WinZip’s uninstaller and now my Vista zip functionality is back just the way it should be, complete with icons. Either WinZip’s uninstaller for 11 does it right, Microsoft fixed something, or I’m lucky somehow. Maybe if others are having problems, try installing WinZip and than uninstalling it!
paulab
Oct 14, 2007 at 9:30 pm
I too had the endless loop and lost the zip icon after accidentally forgetting to uncheck the ‘always use this’ to open a zipped file. Just as Joe stated I did the following:
Click Start, type regedit.exe and press Enter.
Navigate to the following branch:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\FileExts\[extention here]
EXCEPT: when I got here I deleted the entire ‘.zip’ not just the ‘user control’.
I then clicked out and rebooted my computer. This will cause Vista to reset the entire .zip configuration. RESULT: no looping and I have the ZIPPED FOLDER icon back, no problems.
Ady
Oct 31, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Same problem here. I installed winrar because i nedd to opn up a .rar thn proptly unistalled it. Vista couldn’t ipen zip files anymore.
So, install winzip, then uninstal winzip. Seems to have fixed it, and saves the noobs from messing w/ the registry.
Mysh
Nov 5, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Same troubles. I installed Winace. Realized that I could use Vista. Uninstalled it. No longer could unzip files. Went to regedit.exe and deleted “User Choice”. unsuccessful. So than I tried to delete my zip and reboot. Unsuccessful. Luckily, was able to restore my zip folder back to default.
But still can’t unzip any files.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated. :]
Umang Sharaf
Nov 6, 2007 at 2:10 am
the super easy way!
right click on a zip file.
click on ‘open with…’
go to \Windows\
then select ‘explorer.exe’
then click ‘ok’
now in the window it should a couple of programs including windows explorer. select windows explorer. click ‘ok’. you are done.
worked for me and others
Maud
Nov 17, 2007 at 1:42 pm
My computer is identifying all ZIP files as Adobe Acrobat 8 files and it won’t let me extract them or see the files inside. It was workng fine up until just now. Help?
Diane
Nov 27, 2007 at 12:22 am
I downloaded a ZIP file and when I tried to open the file the computer gave me a message saying, “Adobe Reader could not open the .zip file because the file has been damaged (for example, it was sent as an e-mail attachment and wasn’t correctly decoded). ” I have Vista and have had previous problems trying to unzip files. Please help! Thanks.
auldane
Nov 28, 2007 at 10:10 am
Maud and Diane:
This sounds like you’ve got Reader associated with zip files somehow. All the solutions I can think of are already listed above. I would try them in this order:
1 Umang Sharaf’s at Nov 6, 2007 at 2:10 am (Open With and find explorer, probably c:\windows\explorer.exe, checking “always use”)
2 auldane (me!) at Oct 14, 2007 at 6:10 pm (install and uninstall winzip 11)
3 paulab at Oct 14, 2007 at 9:30 pm (editing registry)
It’s a shame that Microsoft didn’t make it easier to associate programs back to explorer. If the idea of finding explorer in the windows directory or editing the registry freaks you out, do #2 first. Winzip is a respectable company and installing their software is safe. Good luck.
Alistair
Dec 3, 2007 at 2:15 pm
hay i have the same problem, but when i go to that regedit i dont have a thing called “User Choice”
i have to folders
“\openWithList” and “\OpenWithProgids”
also i have read how some of youse have just made “explorer.exe” as the default. i have a reason why i wouldnt be satisflied with that anwser.
when i opened it in that past (before i stuffed it,) it would just open in the same window,
i did some reaseare of my own, and i now know that it is meant to be opened by “Windows Shell Common Dll” but i dont know where that is??
also if i was to make the compromise and open it with just “explorer.exe” it would open in a new window, when it should like i said just open it in the same like any other folder. please get back to me soon, i really need to get this resolved fast.
thankx, team.
Alistair
Alistair
Dec 3, 2007 at 2:19 pm
oh is “C:\Windows\System32\shell.dll”
the same as “Windows Shell Common Dllâ€?
?????/
Brian
Dec 5, 2007 at 8:02 am
Thanks to Paulab for *the* solution.
securtek
Dec 7, 2007 at 11:43 am
Found the fix for my Vista 64 .zip association
problem here:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/105/1/File-association-fixes-for-Windows-Vista.html
Howard
Dec 10, 2007 at 7:39 am
I too am having a problem opening zipped files. I have tried the various suggestions above but seem to be missing something. I have GIMP (poor man’s version of Photoship) installed on my system. Whenever I try to extract a zipped download, it shows up as a GIMP file that I can’t do anything with. I tried the open with Explorer option and get the flashiing screen. What am i doing wrong?
Howard
Dec 10, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Sorry, I made a mistake in following the instructions. Joe’s fix of deleting ‘user control” worked. Thanks.
Rebecca
Dec 15, 2007 at 12:03 am
K, I have the original problem stated by Tom back in Jan 07. I am running Vista Business. I have used the resident zip file in Vista, then I downloaded WinZip the eval version and then I tried 7z457 and I also used ALzip, all to no avail. I am unzipping files for a website, so I need each file. When I open it, it only partially opens some files into the folder. I can see them all in the Zip application window, but they are not downloading to the folder so I am missing critical files. Some are mp3, but some mp3s download. Also the HTMLs pages in SOME cases and some PDFs and some word docs. It is not consistent, that is what is weird. I need help or I am going to have to go back to XP, as I have to build this site in the next few weeks.
Bethany
Dec 17, 2007 at 9:11 am
Thanks for this site and help. I had changed my zip program by choosing open with instead of extract all. But your delete user choice directions worked!! Thanks so much. I am a digital scrapbooker and dead in the water without extracting capabilities. Great website!
alistair
Dec 17, 2007 at 2:34 pm
securtek message i found the most helpful
how ever just a sirgestion to anyone reading it,
before using anyway “.reg” files that you drag them into a text editor and make sure that it isnt doiing anythink sus.
anway the link that he gave was.
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/105/1/File-association-fixes-for-Windows-Vista.html
and you click on the “.zip”
but be careful. anyway i hope your well everyone, merry christmass
rlj
Jan 14, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Thanks, that fixed it for me. It was driving me nuts since I installed WinRAR and the zip folders stopped working. Now it works the way it used to. I was even copying registry settings from my other Vista pc. Didn’t fix it. This did in just a minute.
Diane
Jan 25, 2008 at 5:28 pm
my printer (HP Photosmart C 6180) will not print lately. It did just fine several weeks ago. When checking by HP tech, he could not find a USB port connected. Could Vista Home Premium software fail to send a signal to my printer?
Does Vista in any way affect the USB ports on my Gateway tower?
Would appreciate any info or insight into this problem.
Bernal
Feb 12, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I have hundreds of legacy archives (*.ZIP) created with XP and with WinZip. Vista says these files, which it recognizes as compressed folders, are “invalid” or of “0″ size. When I go back to my XP computer, however, they open fine with the XP explorer version. What gives? Anyone know how to make this work in Vista? Note: when “send” a file to compressed folder with Vista explorer, Vista will open this file with explorer no prob!
Stephanie
Feb 14, 2008 at 6:16 pm
When i downloaded Msn, it wont work unless i “right click” and click on “Use as Administrator”.And then my songs that im listing to wont work, It had worked before when i used a friend JumpDrive to get Msn on my computer. It always says now “Stoped Working”. And when i searched on the internet to find a solution, i saw that i needed to download a Patch file, which is in a Zip folder, as i did that, when i clicked Extract all files, there was nothing there. And now that i saw this site, i tried this other solution, 7-zip.com which i had no idea which one to click on, but i tried both. And still i can not extract all files, if anybody has the same problem and know a solution, please help me.
Amber
Feb 27, 2008 at 4:21 pm
hey,
so this is strange-but every time I try to compress a folder by right click>send to>compressed (zipped) folder, a new folder pops up, and instead of being what I need, it’s a quicktime itunes folder that pretty much contains all my music…why is that? How can I get it to open up the new zipped folder instead of my itunes?
Vasu
Mar 6, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Joe’s suggestion in April 2007 to go to the reference Microsoft forum helped me fix this problem in Vista. Charles J refers to the link:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
that has a reg file that you can download to do the same! Thanks all.
Carol
Mar 14, 2008 at 1:11 am
I cannot unzip files using the Extract all files command …every time I do so all I get is an empty file folder. I am trying to extract files from a zipped file saved to my desktop to a folder in the C:…please help!
Marie
Mar 17, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I am enrolled in online classes and to submit my assignments, I am supposed to submit one ZIP file with all the assignments in it. I created a ZIP folder and transferred the files in there, but when I try to attach the ZIPPED folder, when I click on it to attach, it opens up and I cannot send the ZIPPED file, I still have to submit each one individually. Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? Thank you for any assistance.
neil
Apr 22, 2008 at 8:36 pm
guyz i have a question i downloaded this zipped file then when i tried unzipping it with winrar i accidentaly clicked “open with” then clicked winrar now when i download other program installers the icon i see is not zipped icon BUT winrar icon how can i fix this ??? plzz answer
j'mo
Apr 23, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Thanks SO much - not only did regedit fix my unzip problem, but my other ‘open with’ problems because I followed the same steps for .jpg and others…
Thanks so very much!
J’Mo
Gina
May 11, 2008 at 12:13 am
I just wanted to say….THANK YOU….to Joe and NXT241. I had downloaded WinAce, because Vista wouldn’t open the .rar files. I ended up with a Win32 core error..and a near heart attack. After cleaning out the system, I was getting the endless loop when trying to open the compressed files. Thanks to Joe’s post to delete the key and NXT’s post to reassign the value to explore, everythings working as it should. Again, THANK YOU! I thought I had done in my brand new laptop….after bragging to my bro that I had my previous comp for 10 years and fixed everything wrong with it. I’m def. bookmarking this site!
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