Windows 7 - Zip Folders - Enable or Disable Windows Explorer View

   Information

By default, Windows 7 handles ZIP files just like normal folders by having their contents expand and show in Windows Explorer. If you have a 3rd party ZIP program (ex: WinZip, 7-Zip, etc.) installed, then this can be an annoyance to you and you may want to turn this feature off so the ZIP file will only open in the program instead of Windows Explorer. This will show you how to enable or disable the default Windows 7 Zip folders (compressed and cab folders) from having their contents expand and show in Windows Explorer like normal folders.

   Note

Compressed (ZIP) folders and Cab folders are enabled by default to have their content expand and display in Windows Explorer folder view like normal folders.

If disabled, you will still be able to open ZIP and CAB files with the 3rd party program (ex: WinZip, 7-Zip, etc.). You will just see the ZIP and CAB files themselves, and will not see their content in Windows Explorer anymore unless opened.

   Warning

This can only be done while logged on to an administrator account.

1. Open the Start Menu, and type regedit in the search line and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

3. To Disable ZIP Compressed Folders -

A) In regedit, go to the location below. (See screenshot below)

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}

B) In the left pane, right click on {E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31} and click on Permissions. (See screenshot above)

4. To Disable CAB Folders -
NOTE: You will also need to step 3 as well to disable CAB folders.

A) In regedit, go to the location below. (See screenshot below)

Code:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}

B) In the left pane, right click on {0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262} and click on Permissions. (See screenshot above)

5. Click on the Advanced button. (See screenshot below)

6. Click on the Owner tab, then select your user account and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Your user account must be an administrator account.

7. Select your user acount again (step 6), then check the Allow box for Full Control and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

9. To Disable ZIP Compressed Folders -

A) In the left pane of regedit, right click on {E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31} and click on Delete. (See screenshot below step 3A)

10. To Disable CAB Folders -

A) In the left pane of regedit, right click on {0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262} and click on Delete. (See screenshot below step 4A)

11. Click on Yes. (See screenshot below)

12. If you have 64-bit Windows 7 Installed -

   Note

To also disable ZIP and CAB folders from the "Open" and "Save as" type windows as well in 64-bit Windows 7, you will also need to do this step.

If you have a 32-bit Windows 7 installed, then skip this step since doing steps 1 to 9/10 will disable ZIP and CAB folders from the "Open" and "Save as" type windows as well.

A) In Regedit, go to the location below:

To Disable ZIP Compressed Folders

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}\ShellFolder

To Disable CAB Folders

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}\ShellFolder

B) Repeat steps 3B/4B to 11 above.

13. If open, close and reopen the Windows Explorer window. You will now not see the contents of your ZIP and CAB files in Windows Explorer. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: In some cases you may need to log off and on, or restart the computer to apply.

   Note

This is to restore having the contents of your ZIP and CAB files display in the Windows Explorer folder view if you have disabled them in OPTION ONE above.

1. To Enable ZIP Compressed Folders -

A) Click on the Download button below to download the
Restore_Zip_Files.reg file below.

For 32-bit Windows 7 Only


For 64-bit Windows 7 Only

2. To Enable CAB Folders -

A) Click on the Download button below to download the
Restore_Cab_Files.reg file below.

For 32-bit Windows 7 Only


For 64-bit Windows 7 Only

3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Right click the .reg file (On Desktop) and click on Merge.

5. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

6. Open the Start Menu, and type regedit in the search line and press Enter.

7. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

8. To Enable ZIP Compressed Folders -

A) In regedit, go to the location below. (See screenshot below)

Code:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}

B) In the left pane, right click on {E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31} and click on Permissions. (See screenshot above)

9. To Enable CAB Folders -

A) In regedit, go to the location below. (See screenshot below)

Code:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}

B) In the left pane, right click on {0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262} and click on Permissions. (See screenshot above)

10. Click on the Advanced button. (See screenshot below)

11. Click on the Owner tab, then click on the Other users and groups button. (See screenshot below)

12. Type NT SERVICE\TrustedInstaller in the white box, and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

13. Select TrustedInstaller, and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

14. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

15. If you have 64-bit Windows 7 Installed -

   Note

To also disable ZIP and CAB folders from the "Open" and "Save as" type windows as well in 64-bit Windows 7, you will also need to do this step.

If you have a 32-bit Windows 7 installed, then skip this step since doing steps 1 to 14 will disable ZIP and CAB folders from the "Open" and "Save as" type windows as well.

A) In Regedit, go to the location below:

To Enable ZIP Compressed Folders

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}\ShellFolder

To Enable CAB Folders

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Classes\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}\ShellFolder

B) Repeat steps 8B/9B to 14 above.

16. If open, close and reopen the Windows Explorer window. You will now see the contents of your ZIP and CAB files display again in the Windows Explorer folder view. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: In some cases you may need to log off and on, or restart the computer to apply.