Today's Tech Tip - Zip File Opening & WinRar

Old Windows versions require an installed application to read .zip files. Just go search 'zip' at www.download.com. With Windows XP, you don't have to do that; the OS can open it for you quick and easy. But things are different to those who installed WinRar. You may have unintentionally set WinRar as the default app upon installation to open .zip files as well. Some of you downloaded WinRar to read .rar files and nothing else. I recommend that you stick with Windows XP's quick and easy way. To reset the default program, follow these steps:

1. Open up any normal folder, My Documents will do
2. Tools >> Folder Options
3. Go to File Types tab
4. Scroll to the bottom of the box, and highlight ZIP
5. Look at Details for ZIP extension. Make sure it says 'Opens with: Compressed (zipped) Folders'
6. If it does not, click the Change button.
7. Select Compressed (zipped) Folders and click OK. Then click close.

You're done; you can now access your .zip files in a window like accessing normal folders. Note: copying and pasting with .zip files is slightly harder, so it is best to extract the desired files first.
Another piece of Justin Wong's mind at 9/28/2005 09:52:00 PM