Explorer can't open zip files

eclas · Dec 21, 2022

When I double click on a zip file or right click and choose windows explorer nothing happens. Also no error shows in the event log about it.
Any ideas? Thanks

FreeBooter · Dec 21, 2022

Try 7-zip.

7-Zip

Ghot · Dec 21, 2022

@eclas

Vouch. Get 7-zip

Supported formats:

Packing / unpacking: 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, WIM
(and Christmas presents)

Unpacking only: APFS, AR, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DMG, EXT, FAT, GPT, HFS, IHEX, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, QCOW2, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, UEFI, VDI, VHD, VHDX, VMDK, XAR, Z.
(and Amazon boxes)

eclas · Dec 21, 2022

FreeBooter said:
Try 7-zip.

7-Zip

I am using 7-zip but I wanted to fix the explorer issue

Ghot · Dec 21, 2022

eclas said:
I am using 7-zip but I wanted to fix the explorer issue

I'm not sure, but I think that once you install 7zip it takes over from File Explorer.

I believe you have to go to Tools > Options in 7-zip, and "remove" 7-zip from the middle column...
I think Explorer will have control of zip files again.
I had to do the same thing for ISO and CAB files... so 7-zip wouldn't control them either.

Personally, I like having 7-zip control zip files too. But that's me.

Berton · Dec 21, 2022

Ghot said:
I'm not sure, but I think that once you install 7zip it takes over from File Explorer.

It can but like a number of other program installations that can be changed in file associations. Sometimes both or more choices will show in right-click of a file and Open with. I have no issue with File Explorer and having 7-Zip and WinZip installed.

Edwin · Dec 21, 2022

eclas said:
When I double click on a zip file or right click...

Doesn't your right click have Extract all...

LeLibran · Dec 21, 2022

@eclas

To address your question about a 'fix' for the explorer behaviour, a double-click on a zip file the standard behaviour is not to extract the compacted content but to allow its content to be viewed (explored

), i.e. Windows recognises zipped packages as compacted folders, not as executable files and makes it possible to work with the zipped content without extracting. As I'm sure you know, to extract the content the provided option is right-click the zipped package and select 'Extract all' from the displayed options menu to use the built-in Windows extraction capability.

As far as I know Explorer's default behaviour can't be altered but someone else may know better.

imanlien2020 · Dec 21, 2022

FreeBooter said:
Try 7-zip.

7-Zip

First choice for me..Winrar
Second choice for me..7-Zip
But there are tons of programs out there and we all have our own preference.

jds63 · Dec 21, 2022

Edwin said:
Doesn't your right click have Extract all...

View attachment 48115

True Windows 11 should be able to without third party.
Unzip (extract) Files from ZIP Folder in Windows 11 Tutorial

Winuser · Dec 21, 2022

Double clicking on the zip file should open it in File Explorer. I have 7-Zip installed and File Explorer still opens up my zip files. You could try running sfc /scannow from a elevated command prompt and see if it finds any problems.

f14tomcat · Dec 21, 2022

Same here. Right click a Zip File, and the top option should be OPEN. That is identical to Open with Explorer. It just opens the Zip file up in a view of the contents. It may be opening the view in a separate TAB that you may be missing. Just a thought..........

Wisewiz · Dec 21, 2022

Winuser said:
Double clicking on the zip file should open it in File Explorer.

Yahbut, you still need to click the Extract All switch in the newfangled "ribbon" after you double-click the filename.

I, too have 7-zip, and there's no conflict with Explorer's unzipping process.

jds63 · Dec 21, 2022

imanlien2020 said:
First choice for me..Winrar

Good Program, but at a cost.

Winuser said:
You could try running sfc /scannow from a elevated command prompt and see if it finds any problems.

Good idea ! Chances something is corrupt.

eclas · Dec 21, 2022

LeLibran said:
@eclas

To address your question about a 'fix' for the explorer behaviour, a double-click on a zip file the standard behaviour is not to extract the compacted content but to allow its content to be viewed (explored), i.e. Windows recognises zipped packages as compacted folders, not as executable files and makes it possible to work with the zipped content without extracting. As I'm sure you know, to extract the content the provided option is right-click the zipped package and select 'Extract all' from the displayed options menu to use the built-in Windows extraction capability.

As far as I know Explorer's default behaviour can't be altered but someone else may know better.

Yes but the 'fix' that's needed is when I double click a zip file Absolutely nothing happens. It really is more a curiosity thing than a problem. As I said I use 7-zip but was wondering what was up with explorer.

eclas · Dec 21, 2022

jds63 said:
Good Program, but at a cost.

Good idea ! Chances something is corrupt.

yes i tried dism restorehealth etc and sfc. reported no problems. It's a head scratcher

eclas · Dec 21, 2022

Edwin said:
Doesn't your right click have Extract all...

View attachment 48115

yes but I'm still curious because it used to work when I double clicked the zip file it would show me the contents.

ok here's my situation made simple...

file is - test.zip
I right click test.zip then select 'extract all...' and it works perfectly.

I right click the same file and select 'open with...\Explorer and NOTHING happens. (which is also what happens when it's double clicked in explorer)

Bree · Dec 21, 2022

eclas said:
Yes but the 'fix' that's needed is when I double click a zip file Absolutely nothing happens. It really is more a curiosity thing than a problem. As I said I use 7-zip but was wondering what was up with explorer.

Try resetting the default file association for .zip files. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Choose default by file type. Type .zip in the search box, click on whatever it currently shows as the default, then select File Explorer and click the 'Set default' button.

Edwin · Dec 21, 2022

eclas said:
yes but I'm still curious because it used to work when I double clicked the zip file it would show me the contents.

ok here's my situation made simple...

file is - test.zip
I right click test.zip then select 'extract all...' and it works perfectly.

I right click the same file and select 'open with...\Explorer and NOTHING happens. (which is also what happens when it's double clicked in explorer)

That's right..., you can view the items when clicked on, but, they still need to be Extracted because they are still in archival form...

jds63 · Dec 21, 2022

eclas said:
yes but I'm still curious because it used to work when I double clicked the zip file it would show me the contents.

ok here's my situation made simple...

file is - test.zip
I right click test.zip then select 'extract all...' and it works perfectly.

I right click the same file and select 'open with...\Explorer and NOTHING happens. (which is also what happens when it's double clicked in explorer)

Oh...So it you do work and show extract all in his context menu, just unable to do it thru double-click and opened in Win Explorer. That is a strange problem if works with extract all.

Explorer can't open zip files

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