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Answered How do I disable zip folders in Windows 7?

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      Wednesday, January 21, 2009 2:31 AM
       
       
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      I like to use a third-party archive application, so I really don't like how by default Windows makes zip files expand automatically in Windows Explorer and show up in the folder view.

      So... How do I disable zip folders in Windows 7?

      ---------
      In XP and Vista, I was able to find solutions to remove this "feature" 

      In XP, I simply did...

      regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll

      In Vista, I had to remove a couple registry entries:

      Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
      ; Disable ZIP support in Windows Vista
      ; restart Windows after applying this patch
      [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}]
      [-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}]

      I don't want to guess and delete the wrong registry entries if someone else knows which ones I need to remove.

       

    Answers

    • Friday, February 06, 2009 5:27 PM
       
       Answered
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      EDIT - I HAVE FOUND A SOLUTION

      After considerable browsing (thank you, Google), I have a solution that works. It is based on fixes for Vista, but works 100% for my Windows 7 64-bit install. 

      You will need to edit your registry (delete 2 different keys), so I highly recommend you back up your registry or better yet, make an image of your OS drive (probably C:\). I use Norton Ghost 2003 (only from a NG 2003 boot floppy) and have never had a single problem. Norton Ghost does not have to be installed on your system for this to work (in fact, it will stall due to compatibility issues). 

      First a note regarding the various reg tweaks that are available for download (e.g., "vistaunzip.reg"). These will NOT work - undoubtedly due to ownership/permissions issues. 

      The following two (2) keys need to be deleted fromthe registry:

      For zip files delete the regkey
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}

      For cab files delete
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}

      When you try to delete them, you will almost certainly get an "access denied" or "failed" type of message. Before you can delete them, you need to change the permissions/ownership of these two keys. Here is how to do it:

      01 - open regedit from the RUN console

      02 - navigate to the first key that needs to be deleted (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0- B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31})

      03 - right click on the key and select "Permissions"

      04 - click on "Advanced"

      05 - click on the "Ownership" tab

      06 - in the "change owner to" section, highlight your username

      07 - check the box for "replace owner on subcontainers and objects"

      08 - click on "Apply"

      09 - Click "OK"

      10 - Under "Security" tab, highlight your username and check the box for "Allow Full Control" (located mid-menu in the "Permissions For Administrators" section)

      11 - click "Apply" and "OK"

      12 - you can now delete the registry key. MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON THE CORRECT KEY!

      13 - repeat the process for the 2nd key.

      14 - reboot (changes will NOT take effect until you reboot

      15 - VOILA! NO MORE ZIP FOLDERS! woohoo!

      16 - thanks to the original solvers of this problem, whomever they may be.

      *********************************************************************************

      I would like the same help that deedvd is seeking. How do I DISABLE the zip folder function? I do NOT want my zip files to appear as "folders". Why anyone in Redmond thought this was a brilliant idea is beyond me. It adds to clutter and makes file browsing a lot less enjoyable. I simply want my zip files to appear as files - with the ".zip" extension. Just like every other file. The responses to deepdvd were probably as frustrating to him as they are to me. Changing the default program for zip files is IRRELEVANT. It only changes whether Windows or some third party app (7Zip, Izarc, etc) OPENS the files. They continue to show up as folders.  I tried the unregister script (earlier thread)

      "Running regsvr32 /u %windir%\system32\zipfldr.dll should be enough to disable zip functionality. Then just run your 3rd party archite application and let it re-register archive files." and it did not work. I got the same error that deeddvd got "The module "C:\Windows\system32\zipfldr.dll" was loaded but the entry-point DllUnregisterServer was not found.

      Make sure that "C:\Windows\system32\zipfldr.dll" is a valid DLL or OCX file and then try again."

      I would love to find a resolution to this problem. If anyone out there knows how to DISABLE the zipfolder function, please post the solution. I am thanking you in advance.
      • Proposed As Answer by svenn99 Friday, February 06, 2009 7:30 PM
      • Marked As Answer by Arie SlobMVP, Editor Friday, November 06, 2009 12:39 AM
      •  
       

    All Replies

    • Wednesday, January 21, 2009 2:44 AM
       
       
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      The one I use is Winzip (PAID registered user since 1995 and have latest version as well)
      Just run the winzip install program.

       
    • Wednesday, January 21, 2009 3:02 AM
       
       
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      @Chitchatjf,    Are you saying that your Folder View doesn't look like this?

      I don't want any zip files to appear as subfolders as you can see on the left, so I just want to confirm that you are saying it doesn't do that after you install WinZip?  

      Or, if anyone else knows how to fix (disable) this in Windows 7, please let me know
       
    • Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:02 PM
       
       
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      Take a look at 7zip. It handles RAR and a bunch more.
       
    • Wednesday, January 28, 2009 8:03 AM
       
       
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      Wouldn't the world be more wonderful if we stayed on topic?

      How do I DISABLE zip folders in Windows 7 ??
       
    • Wednesday, January 28, 2009 6:25 PM
       
       
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      Right click the zip file. then mouse over to open with. then chose default program. then pick the zip software you want to use from the list. or go to the start menu and click on default programs under the control panel button.
       
    • Friday, February 06, 2009 5:27 PM
       
       Answered
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      EDIT - I HAVE FOUND A SOLUTION

      After considerable browsing (thank you, Google), I have a solution that works. It is based on fixes for Vista, but works 100% for my Windows 7 64-bit install. 

      You will need to edit your registry (delete 2 different keys), so I highly recommend you back up your registry or better yet, make an image of your OS drive (probably C:\). I use Norton Ghost 2003 (only from a NG 2003 boot floppy) and have never had a single problem. Norton Ghost does not have to be installed on your system for this to work (in fact, it will stall due to compatibility issues). 

      First a note regarding the various reg tweaks that are available for download (e.g., "vistaunzip.reg"). These will NOT work - undoubtedly due to ownership/permissions issues. 

      The following two (2) keys need to be deleted fromthe registry:

      For zip files delete the regkey
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}

      For cab files delete
      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}

      When you try to delete them, you will almost certainly get an "access denied" or "failed" type of message. Before you can delete them, you need to change the permissions/ownership of these two keys. Here is how to do it:

      01 - open regedit from the RUN console

      02 - navigate to the first key that needs to be deleted (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0- B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31})

      03 - right click on the key and select "Permissions"

      04 - click on "Advanced"

      05 - click on the "Ownership" tab

      06 - in the "change owner to" section, highlight your username

      07 - check the box for "replace owner on subcontainers and objects"

      08 - click on "Apply"

      09 - Click "OK"

      10 - Under "Security" tab, highlight your username and check the box for "Allow Full Control" (located mid-menu in the "Permissions For Administrators" section)

      11 - click "Apply" and "OK"

      12 - you can now delete the registry key. MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON THE CORRECT KEY!

      13 - repeat the process for the 2nd key.

      14 - reboot (changes will NOT take effect until you reboot

      15 - VOILA! NO MORE ZIP FOLDERS! woohoo!

      16 - thanks to the original solvers of this problem, whomever they may be.

      *********************************************************************************

      I would like the same help that deedvd is seeking. How do I DISABLE the zip folder function? I do NOT want my zip files to appear as "folders". Why anyone in Redmond thought this was a brilliant idea is beyond me. It adds to clutter and makes file browsing a lot less enjoyable. I simply want my zip files to appear as files - with the ".zip" extension. Just like every other file. The responses to deepdvd were probably as frustrating to him as they are to me. Changing the default program for zip files is IRRELEVANT. It only changes whether Windows or some third party app (7Zip, Izarc, etc) OPENS the files. They continue to show up as folders.  I tried the unregister script (earlier thread)

      "Running regsvr32 /u %windir%\system32\zipfldr.dll should be enough to disable zip functionality. Then just run your 3rd party archite application and let it re-register archive files." and it did not work. I got the same error that deeddvd got "The module "C:\Windows\system32\zipfldr.dll" was loaded but the entry-point DllUnregisterServer was not found.

      Make sure that "C:\Windows\system32\zipfldr.dll" is a valid DLL or OCX file and then try again."

      I would love to find a resolution to this problem. If anyone out there knows how to DISABLE the zipfolder function, please post the solution. I am thanking you in advance.
      • Proposed As Answer by svenn99 Friday, February 06, 2009 7:30 PM
      • Marked As Answer by Arie SlobMVP, Editor Friday, November 06, 2009 12:39 AM
      •  
       
    • Thursday, May 07, 2009 1:20 AM
       
       
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      Tim, this is not an answer to the question, not even close. Notice it has no votes as helpful. Using some other program, be it Winzip, Winrar, 7-Zip or whatever does not disable the zip folders that clutter Explorer. I know they are helpful for simple users but for anyone even approaching a power user they are not. Microsoft needs to provide simple Explorer settings to turn these off, it's long overdue. Anyone there at Microsoft pay attention to these things? I'm almost surprised that turning file extension display on doesn't take a registry modification. That has a selection in Explorer and so should zip folders.

      Looks like svenn99 finally has an answer to this. Now that I figure I'll be running the RC until release I needed a solution.
       
    • Monday, June 22, 2009 12:32 AM
       
       
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      Why is Zandor's reply marked as the answer?!?  It is completely off track.

      Thanks sven99.  Your procedure did not work completely (I also had to give myself full control of the reg key) but it got me on the right track.

      BTW Why doesn't MS make an option to turn them off.  Zip folders have been a huge annoyance since I first tried XP.  If you have a directory with lots of zip files containing lots of files then it can take many minutes to open the directory to just look at it.  And Windows Explorer basically dies if the directory is on a network drive or a CD.


      Also note that the original poster said that
      regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
      fixes the problem under XP.   This is not exactly true.  It does fix it temporarilly but it comes back the next time you reboot.

       
    • Thursday, January 07, 2010 1:47 AM
       
       
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      Also note that the original poster said that
      regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll
             fixes the problem under XP.   This is not exactly true.  It does fix it temporarilly but it comes back the next time you reboot.

      I wouldn't normally respond to an old thread, but the above is complete ROT. Once the command is run it stays that way until the opposite command (without the '/u') is run.

      DrT
       
    • Friday, September 09, 2011 8:44 PM
       
       
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      Thanks for help, but unfortunately it did not work for me.

      Microsoft should left user to define it.

       
    • Sunday, September 11, 2011 12:11 AM
       
       
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      Try Windows Seven Forums and search for zip.

      http://www.sevenforums.com/#windows-7-help-support

      Thats how i disabled mine.  took a few trys with the instruction.