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Go to SolutionWindows 7 Cannot Open zip files
I'm almost certain that in the past my Dell Inspiron 580 with Windows 7 could open zip files.
Last month I had to replace my internal hard drive and reinstall Windows from the disks I bought from Dell. Now whenever I try to open a zip file I've downloaded I get an alert which says Windows Explorer cannot open it.
I see a lot of different programs you can buy or download for free which claim to allow you to unzip files. Isn't Windows supposed to be able to open zip files by itself?
Are there any free, downloable zip file openers which will work with 64-bit Windows 7?
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Posted November 23rd, 2012 16:00
7zip is great. Install from here http://www.7-zip.org/download.html
Once installed right click the .rar, .7z, .iso file and select 7zip > extract to "...".
Alternative right click a folder and select 7zip > add to archive "...".
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Posted November 23rd, 2012 14:00
Thanks...of the 3 I believe 7Zip is the only free one. Is it any good?
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Posted November 23rd, 2012 18:00
Excellent! I'll try 7zip.
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Posted November 28th, 2012 21:00
I downloaded 7zip but I don't understand what I'm supposed to right click. where is the. rar, .7z, etc.? Am I supposed to run something to set up 7zip?
When I go to a zip file and select "open with" I don't see 7zip as a choice, even though it's downloaded. All the zip files I download somehow appear as adobe files, but of course adobe can't open them.
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Posted November 29th, 2012 02:00
Hi jumprun3,
Yes, you have to install the 7-Zip software by double clicking on the installation file that you have download. You will get the "7-Zip" option in “Open With” after the installation and Windows should display all the zip files as 7-Zip files.
You will have to set the default program in Windows, if the files are still displayed as Adobe files after installing 7-Zip, by following the steps provided in the following link:
http://bit.ly/2hgBSqPlease let me know if you need further assistance.
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Posted November 30th, 2012 04:00
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Posted January 15th, 2014 13:00
Zipping or unzipping files is not windows features. actually, it IS a windows feature that's supposed to be built into windows. Installing Winzip or 7-zip is a valid work-around, but not at all a solution to the actual problem.
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Posted February 3rd, 2015 09:00
allan your right, so how do I fix win7 to where I have it? I have a HP image pc
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Posted May 20th, 2015 05:00
It is a windows feature as you say, I had a user in today that could not open .zips natively and the issue was fixed thus...
- Open Windows Explorer/My Computer and locate .zip file
- Right click .zip file and click "Open with..."
- Choose "Windows Explorer" and ensure the "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" box is checked.
- Hit OK and you should now see the .zip file has the correct icon and will open natively in Win7.
Reply if anyone has issues.
DELL-Allan D
6 Operator
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2572 Posts
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Posted November 23rd, 2012 13:00
Hello Jumprun,
Zipping or unzipping files is not windows features. Third party software like WinZip, WinRAR, 7Zip are used to zip and unzip files. You may download them by clicking on the program you want to download.
WinZip
WinRAR
7Zip
Hope this helps!