Fix ZIP File Association

On Windows computers ZIP files can be opened on Windows Explorer by default using Windows ZIP file associations. Windows can open ZIP files using any other programs like 7-zip, Bitser, WinRAR, etc. which takes over the default program upon installation. When these applications are uninstalled, Zip files will fail to open properly. You can solve this problem by resetting the default program as Windows Explorer.

Methods to set Windows Explorer as default program:s

There are various methods using which Windows Explorer can be set as default program in the computer. Few are as explained below:

Method 1: Changing ‘Open with’ properties of ZIP file

• Right click on a .zip file and select ‘Properties’ option
• Under ‘General’, click on ‘Change’ which is next to ‘Opens with’
• ‘Open with’ window will open where you find list of few programs
• Select ‘Windows Explorer’ from the list or if it is not there, then click on ‘Browse’ to browse the option for selection
• ‘Windows Explorer’ will be in the location, ‘C:\Windows\explorer.exe’. Click ‘’Open and then on ‘OK’
• Check the option, ‘Always use the selected program...’ and click ‘OK’

Method 2: Using command prompt

• Go to Start -> Accessories -> command prompt
• Right click on command prompt and select ‘Run as Administrator’ (not necessary in XP)
• Then type the command ‘assoc .zip=CompressedFolder’

Method 3: By editing registry keys in Windows 7 and 8

• In Windows Start menu search box, type ‘Regedit’
• Launch Regedit.exe and navigate to ‘HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.zip’
• Right click on ‘UserChoice’ folder and choose ‘Delete’ option. Input ‘Yes’ to delete subkeys permanently

You can find many other methods for setting WE as default program to open ZIP file. If none of the methods work out for you to open ZIP file normally and access its files, then you start worrying. Don’t get disappointed, still there is a way to open ZIP archive. When ZIP file associations cannot be processed and .Zip file fails to open, then you can fix it using suitable ZIP repair software.

Zip file association repair tool:

Yodot Zip Repair software is the best solution to fix problem with .Zip file association on Windows computers. It has simple interface but powerful internal scanning mechanism that can fix ZIP/ZIPX files that are corrupt or not opening for any reasons. You can use this tool on computers/notebooks running with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 and latest Windows 8 operating systems. Besides this, if the ZIP files are saved in external devices, then you can fix its issue by just connecting the device to the computer where this Zip file repair software is installed.

Procedural steps to fix ZIP file association:

• Download Yodot ZIP Repair software and install it on your computer
• Run the tool and select .Zip file which is not opening by browsing the path of the file
• Then click on “Repair” option to start repair process
• Software fixes .Zip file which is not opening due to problem with the ZIP file association in few minutes
• You can view the ZIP file contents after repair process
• Save repaired ZIP file in a location on computer drive other than the scanned one using ‘Save’ option