How to restore the compressed ZIP file association with the operating system?

If ZIP files are configured to automatically open with an invalid program or you were using third-party compression software and it was uninstalled, ZIP files may fail to open properly. Follow the procedure below to configure the operating system to automatically open ZIP files with the built-in compression software.

WARNING: There is a risk of software corruption and data loss. When editing the Registry, there is the risk of corrupting installed software or the operating system, which may result in data loss. It is recommended to backup the registry before proceeding.

1. Click the Start button and then click All Programs.
2. In the All Programs menu, click Accessories.
3. Under the Accessories folder, right-click Command Prompt and then click Run as administrator.

    NOTE: If prompted for an administrator password or a User Account Control prompt is displayed, type the appropriate password or click Continue.
4. In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, type: assoc .zip=CompressedFolder and then press the Enter key.
5. Close the Administrator: Command Prompt window.
6. Click the Start button and then in Start Search box, type: regedit
7. Press the Enter key.

    NOTE: If prompted for an administrator password or a User Account Control prompt is displayed, type the appropriate password or click Continue.
8. In the Registry Editor window, in the left pane, double-click HKEY_CURRENT_USER to expand the selection.
9. Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, double-click Software to expand the selection.
10. Under Software, double-click Microsoft to expand the selection.
11. Under Microsoft, double-click Windows to expand the selection.
12. Under Windows, double-click CurrentVersion to expand the selection.
13. Under CurrentVersion, double-click Explorer to expand the selection.
14. Under Explorer, double-click FileExts to expand the selection.
15. Under FileExts, double-click .zip to expand the selection.
16. Under .zip, click to select UserChoice.
17. In the menu bar, click Edit and then click Delete.
18. In the Confirm Key Delete, window click the Yes button.
19. Close the Registry Editor window and restart the computer.

NOTE: If ZIP files are still not associated properly, repeat steps 1 through 5.