# Computer question-.zip file **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 11, 2003, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695 "2003-11-11T22:25:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dragongirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@dragongirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragongirl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/1 "2003-11-11T22:25:19Z")
I downloaded a song (don’t worry it’s legal, from the artist’s webstie) and when it was done it asked how I wanted to open the file. I clicked quicktime, but after I clicked it I noticed a little box that was checked that said “always open this with quicktime?” The song won’t open, something about not understanding the file, and I don’t know how to change the quicktime thing. Help me please, I really want to hear this song. It’s a tribute to Elliot Smith. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/2 "2003-11-11T22:34:13Z")
.zip files are in a compressed format. To use them you must first uncompress (un **zip** ) them. There’s a free utility called WinZip which will allow you to manipulate and create zip files. Get it at [http://download.com.com/3000-2250-10161502.html](http://download.com.com/3000-2250-10161502.html) 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/3 "2003-11-11T22:35:44Z")
zip files are compressed archives in pkzip format. On 'doze you’ll need to find Winzip - anyone on a new Mac should have the command-line program “unzip”. ---
**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/4 "2003-11-11T22:40:18Z")
Also, since you checked the box to “always open ZIP files with quicktime”, you’ll have to go into your file settings and remove this association (since Quicktime doesn’t understand ZIP files). Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | File Types Find the extension “ZIP” and edit the “Opens With” field. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/5 "2003-11-12T00:01:34Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Mr. Duality \* > **.zip files are in a compressed format. To use them you must first uncompress (un**zip_\* ) them. There’s a free utility called WinZip which will allow you to manipulate and create zip files. Get it at [http://download.com.com/3000-2250-10161502.html](http://download.com.com/3000-2250-10161502.html) > > 🆒 \*\* Point of clarification. [WinZip](http://www.winzip.com/) is not a free utility. While you may download an _evaluation copy_, to continue using it you are required to purchase a license. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/6 "2003-11-12T00:07:27Z")
UltimateZip is a far better utility and it’s free, supporting many more formats than .zip. ---
**Author:** ![Jake4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@Jake4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake4)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/7 "2003-11-12T00:28:19Z")
As long as we’re plugging, [7-zip](http://www.7-zip.com). ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/8 "2003-11-12T00:40:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duckster \* > \*\*Point of clarification. [WinZip](http://www.winzip.com/) is not a free utility. While you may download an _evaluation copy_, to continue using it you are required to purchase a license. \*\* This is not true. You can use the evaluation copy forever. To use the registered copy, you must buy it. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/9 "2003-11-12T02:14:12Z")
as usual, if you’re using XP, MS barging in with their pre-installed compressed folders utility that uses the .zip format ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/10 "2003-11-12T02:34:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nanoda \* > \*\*zip files are compressed archives in pkzip format. On 'doze you’ll need to find Winzip - anyone on a new Mac should have the command-line program “unzip”. \*\* A basic version of Stuffit Expander is included with most Mac OS installs, so you don’t have to worry about the command line. Plus, OS X 10.3 has built-in support for .zip file expansion. ---
**Author:** ![maleinblack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@maleinblack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maleinblack)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2003, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-zip-file/212695/11 "2003-11-12T06:39:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jpeg Jones \* > \*\*Also, since you checked the box to “always open ZIP files with quicktime”, you’ll have to go into your file settings and remove this association (since Quicktime doesn’t understand ZIP files). > > Windows Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | File Types > > Find the extension “ZIP” and edit the “Opens With” field. \*\* A simpler way of doing what **Jpeg** said is to do the following: Single click on the file and highlight it. Then press your shift key and right click on the file. You then get an option called “open with”. Clicking on the option opens a box from which you can choose what program you want to use to open this particular type of a file. Select Winzip and make sure the little checkbox is ticked. Hope this helps.