Windows 10: Why Does Windows Explorer not appear as program to open .zip files

I right clicked a zipped file and clicked open with and selected choose an app on your pc i located the windows file searched for Explorer.exe and clicked open but when i pressed open it said The program you have selected cannot be associated with this file type. Please choose another program. It would be very helpful if you provide me a solution to this problem. I'm using a windows 11 laptop.

:)

 

.zip can't be set to File Explorer

Hello Kathleen,

I understand your concern, and we in Community will try to help you in the best possible way we can.

I suggest you to follow the below steps and check if it helps.

• 
  Type Default programs
  in the search bar and press enter
  
• 
  Click on choose default programs by file type
  
• 
  Select .zip
  and select File Explorer
  

Also you can visit the below link Zip and unzip files.
(Steps applies to Windows 10).

Zip and unzip files - Microsoft Support

Hope this helps. Post us with status we will be glad to help you.

 

Windows Explorer does not appear as program to open .gz files

I have a Windows 11 machine where I can open .zip file or .gz file to see the content of the files without un-zipping.

I also have a Windows 10 machine but on it, gz/zip file show as non-associated file type as the icon is a plain file icon.

So I tried a suggestion from here: Redirecting

-- suggestion from that thread link --
1. Right click a .zip file and select Open With. Click the Browse button.

2. In the browse window, navigate to C:\Windows.

3. Scroll down in the Windows folder and select Explorer.exe.

4. Click the Open button.

5. This should add Windows Explorer to the Recommended Programs section.

Make sure the Always use the selected program to open this file type option is checked and click OK.

------------------------------------------

When I tried this suggestion, I see an error msg "The program you have selected cannot be associated with this file type. Please choose another program."

Is there a way to open the zip/gz file w/o unzipping?

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.