Disable Explorer Folder View of Cab and Zip Files in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
InformationBy default, Windows handles ZIP files just like folders. ZIP files will show in the navigation pane of Windows Explorer, and if selected in the navigation pane, you will see the ZIP file's contents in Windows Explorer just like a folder.
If you have a 3rd party ZIP program (ex: 7-Zip, etc.) installed, then this can be an annoyance to you and you may want to turn this feature off so ZIP files will only open in the program instead of Windows Explorer.
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable ZIP folders (compressed and cab folders) from having their contents expand and show in Windows Explorer like folders for all users.
NoteCompressed (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 only be able to open ZIP and CAB files and extract/view their contents with a 3rd party program (ex: 7-Zip, etc.). You will only see the ZIP and CAB files in Windows Explorer.
WarningThis can only be done while logged on to an administrator account.
EXAMPLE: Zip Folders (compressed and cab folders) Enabled and Disabled
Here's How:
1. Do step 2 and/or 3 or step 4 and/or 5 below for what you would like to do.
2. To Enable ZIP Compressed Folders
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.3. To Enable CAB Folders
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.4. To Disable ZIP Compressed Folders
Enable_CAB_Files.reg
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.5. To Disable CAB Folders
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.6. Save the .reg file to your desktop.
Disable_CAB_Files.reg
7. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
8. If prompted, click on Run, Yes (UAC Windows 7/8) or Continue (UAC Vista), Yes, and OK when prompted.
9. Log out and in, or restart the PC to apply.
That's it,
Shawn
Zip Folders - Enable or Disable Windows Explorer View
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New #1
Shawn this is great I asked for this solution very early on and I can see why it took some working out!
As we could'nt find a solution I found a new work practise I access all my zip and rar file folders via a Favorites shortcut which takes out the explorer view giving me access to single archives without the elongation.
best
barney
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New #2
Nice work Shawn, ...one less thing now on the "to do" list for you, one more thing for me.
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New #3
LOL, you're welcome Barnet and OEM.
I was sitting there scratching my head as to why it would work in Vista and not in Windows 7 when they were the same registry entries when I noticed that the owner was now TrustedInstalled in Windows 7. It turned out to be nothing more than a permissions issue that taking ownership of the registry key first fixed.
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New #4
Well, it worked after I went through the entire registry and deleted every instance of {0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262} after taking ownership of the cab and zip things.
Now if I could just get rid of that anoying task bar popup with all the windows for each program that is open in it with the X to close any of them. I hate that thing.
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New #5
Hello Tannim,
I'm happy to hear that you got the Zip folders sorted. Unfortunately, the only way to remove the taskbar thumbnails is this below.
Taskbar Thumbnail Previews - Enable or DisableLast edited by Brink; 10 Jan 2010 at 01:17. Reason: updated
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New #6
Windows 7 64-bit?
Does this process need to be modified at all for 64-bit?
I'm pretty sure I followed the instructions correctly but it didn't work for me. I also looked for all occurrences of
{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}
And deleted those as well.
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New #7
Hello Cskevint, and welcome to Seven Forums.
Yes, this is the same for both the 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7. Did you also delete the {E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31} key?
If you have, log off and log on to see if it works afterwards.
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New #8
Thanks Brink. That's exactly what the issue was. I wasn't deleting {E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}. For some reason it wasn't clear to me that I needed to delete that one as well. Thanks for the help.
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Zip Folders - Enable or Disable Windows Explorer View
Disable Explorer Folder View of Cab and Zip Files in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8Published by Brink
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