Zip files don't work

[iknowjohnny]

If i click on a zip file it opens and i can see the files in it. But they won't extract. If i try any of 3ways to extract them including my normal way of just dragging the file to the desktop, nothing happens. Zip files are obviously associated with explorer because they open ad i can see the files, so it's not an association issue. Any idea?

 

[Ztruker]

If you right click and select Extract all?????

 

[iknowjohnny]

Like i said, i tried all methods and it doesn't work. I googled it and found several posts that made me realize what is wrong....i updated windows the other day. I learned years ago, NEVER update windows unless absolutely necassry because it always screws something up. So i haven't for years....til a few days ago and guess what? Yeah, ol Bill's POS did it to me again. I found a few posts saying they downloaded windows updates and had the same thing happen. Thanks Bill....can i have my $200 back? (really sick of windows)

 

[Ztruker]

And yet I always update windows and don't have any weird problems. I guess it depends on your hardware and the software you use.

 

[Ztruker]

Also, see here: Default File Type Associations - Restore. Another excellent tutorial by Brink.

Maybe that will fix the problem??

 

[iknowjohnny]

It's not that because they open and i can see the files inside. I just can't extract them. It's associated with explorer

 

[d00p98uy]

did you try using winrar or 7zip?

 

[iknowjohnny]

I may be able to open them that way but my concern is i want to fix this windows issue.

 

[d00p98uy]

when did it start, you could probably go back to a past restore pont where it worked

 

[iknowjohnny]

I don't have one for that point.

 

[d00p98uy]

try Use the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) to detect and replce the file

1.Open an elevated command prompt
2.At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER: sfc /scannow
3.the sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

I dont know if this will work, but it's worth a try...

 

[d00p98uy]

or maybe try .Zip file assosiation fix

http://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...ile-type-associations-restore-default_zip.reg

 

[iknowjohnny]

I tried the association fix but that was before i realized what i said earlier....it's not a file association issue. Windows explored is the defalt opener and it still does. the files just will not extract.

I already tried SFC. Did nothing. It's something that windows update changed.

 

[d00p98uy]

idk, the only thing i can think of is replacing explorer.exe, try finding it from microsoft and read this page to replace it

How to replace Explorer.exe in Windows 7?

I'd make sure you have a LivePE for backup just in case something goes wrong, that way you can just rename explorer.exe.old or explorer.exe_old back to explorer.exe if you screw up your computer.

 

[iknowjohnny]

I'll try the explorer replacement. I'll pass on the fix thing tho, as i will not install ad based stuff. That stuff has caused me more problems than i'm having now, even when i make sure as the boxes are unchecked during install.

 

[jadinolf]

For the record, I got tricked into installing a zip/unzip program. I immediately uninstalled it and it cost me my ability to unzip in Windows Explorer or any related program.

I have learned my lesson and as far as I can see the only solution is to wipe Windows 7 and start over.

 

[Layback Bear]

A hundred million plus people around the would use Windows with updates and have no problems. I'm one of them.
You stated in post #2 that you haven't updated Windows 7 in years.
That could of caused the problem.
When you throw all those updates on a computer that is populated with all kinds of programs ect. for that many years you could very easy have problems.
I do agree with jadinolf. A wipe and clean install would be my choice if I had to repair such a computer.
Here is a Tutorial. Don't let the name fool you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/197255-windows-7-installation-prepare-pc-sold.html

 

[jadinolf]

Should be Prepare PC to be Scrapped.

 

[Layback Bear]

What ever it should be called it's a good way to remove data from the hard drive and install a clean fresh Windows 7. It also gives you the opportunity to install all need Windows Updates as they should be.

 

[jadinolf]

What ever it should be called it's a good way to remove everything from the hard drive and install a clean fresh Windows 7. It also gives you the opportunity to install all need Windows Updates.

So correct.

About noon my time I reinstalled Windows 7 and it gave me back the unzip feature, my ability to use the Windows 7 SreenSavers and also another problem with Windows Explorer.

I searched for solutions until I gave up.

So far all is well here. Now I'm looking forward to the 150 updates that are going to me coming in very soon.

As I mentioned to friends, my Windows 7 was behaving about 99.99% right. They know that that is not good enough for me.