How to Open Zip Files and Fix Zip File Association on Windows 10

ZIP Files on Windows 10

When third-party archiving tools such as WinRAR, 7-zip, WinZip, and others are installed, they usually include the option to specify file defaults for the file types they support. Users can easily extract a compressed file by using file associates instead of having to select a program each time.

How to open a ZIP file on Windows 10

As a result, the third-party software must be selected as the default app for dealing with ZIP files. File associations don’t always stick in Windows 10, and many apps continue to open with the stock apps.

Fix the ZIP file association on Windows 10

When it comes to ZIP files, however, many customers are unable to extract the zipped file regardless of which tool they use when choosing a different default program for the file type fails. Here are a few options for resolving the issue.

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1. Reset default file association

Because the issue with a ZIP file not opening is essentially a file type association issue, try resetting the association to its default value and then changing it again.

1. Open the Settings app (Win+I keyboard shortcut).
2. Go to Apps>Defaults apps.
3. Click the Reset button under Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults. 
4. Try extracting the zip file.

This will change the default app for EVERY app, including movies, photographs, and your web browser.

2. Set ZIP file associations

ZIP isn’t displayed as a file type for which you can set a default app for some reason. As a result, users must rely on the apps they install to establish the association, and file-app associations in Windows 10 might be problematic.

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to any ZIP file on the system.
2. Right-click the file and go to Open With.
3. Select Choose another app.
4. Look for the app you want to use and select it.
5. Enable the ‘Always use this app to open .zip files’ option.
6. Click OK to set the new default app association.

3. Fix zip file association

It’s possible that you won’t be able to access a zipped file because its association is broken. This can happen if a third-party program attempted to alter the default ZIP file app but failed.

1. Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
2. Run the following command.

assoc .zip=CompressedFolder

4. Uninstall and reinstall an app

Uninstall the app you’re using and reinstall it if you’re having trouble opening a ZIP file with it, but you can extract it with Windows Explorer without any issues.

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Go to Programs>Uninstall a program.
3. Select the app you installed to manage ZIP files.
4. Click the Uninstall button.
5. Once the app has been uninstalled, install it again.

Note that if you’re managing ZIP files with an unusual program, it’s conceivable that the app is having issues. Use a different app, such as 7 Zip.

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Conclusion

Because ZIP is such an ubiquitous archiving format for files and folders, if the association for it breaks on Windows 10, you will be unable to interact with, extract, or open most archives you encounter. If you can’t locate anything you like, utilize a trusted program for ZIP files or try the stock tool. At the very least, the stock tool is always useful.