Windows won't unzip zip files. Says it's blocked.

Recently Windows XP SP2 has prevented me from unzipping zip files. Whenever I
try to unzip a file I get the message: Windows has blocked access to these
files to help protect your computer.

Windows blocks files that are marked as not trusted.

When I follow the help file information it says I can choose to unblock the
file from it's property dialog box. However, there is no such option.

I first thought it was a special type of zip file created under certain
circumstances. But I even get that message if I use Windows to zip a text
file and then try to extract it again.

I have also installed Windows Defender Beta, could this be causing this
issue? I have never had any problems with the built in zip utility in Windows.
I can extract the zipfiles just fine in any other compression software.

Yes, certainly installing a *beta* program can have unintended
consequences on an otherwise stable system. "Beta" means software that
isn't finished and is still in the bug-checking phase. It is a bad idea
to run beta software on a production machine or on any machine that you
are unwilling to wipe and start over.

Uninstall WD and see what happens.

Glad you got it sorted. Remember the caveat about using beta software:
Thou Shalt Not Run Beta Software On Production Machines!

I uninstalled WD and rebooted. I am now able to extract zip files again using
Windows' intertgrated zip feature.
I wasn't sure it was WD and I didn't realize it integrated to tightly into
the system.

If after installing Windows Defender you can no longer open ZIP files or
download email attachments, please send me an email so I can follow up.

If after installing Windows Defender you can no longer open ZIP files or
download email attachments, please send me an email so I can follow up.

I have a windows 2003 server with the same error. But, I do not have Windows
Defender installed. It is a Windows 2003 with SP1 installed and Citrix
Presentation Server with MS Office on it. Any Suggestions?

I have the same problem but don't have WD Beta installed. How do I get around
this?

Hiya. I have windows XP Professinal and am running SP2. i am getting the same
problem with not being able to open a zip folder. i know the file is 100% NOT
harmful, because my friend is using it. It says that it was blocked because
it was potensianlly harful and when i follow the instructions to unblock it
ther is no such dialoug box saying unblock. is this to with that it is in a
zip folder and cannont be unblocked? Also i am not running any SD software or
any of that sort. please do help me. Thanks in advance

Same issue. I have a vanilla Windows 2003 SP1 server, and have downloaded
Citrix Secure Gateway from the MyCitrix site. The download is a zip file
which won't extract on the server as it blocks it and I have no option under
"properties" to unblock. The only workaround I have is to buy a 3rd party
piece of software. Come on MS, what's going on?
There is NOTHING installed on the server besides Windows 2003, SP1 and up to
date MS patching.

I have Windows XP NO extrange software installed and it does not let me unzip
some files... Is there any way to deactivate this "OS security help"... Is
some cain freak that Microsoft pretends to know what is dangerous and what is
not for us.

i am having same problem opening zip files in windows media edition...tried
sendin email to mtreit @ microsoft.com and it didn't recognize.....
what's solution????

i'm in the same position as thomas i can't unblock it and it says to save but
there no option to save so please help me...

I have the same problem. Did you find a solution?

Have you tried using WiZ from Info-ZIP instead of the built-in Windows zip file
support?

Same problem here, but no "Windows Defender" has ever been on my maching.

Hi - you haven't posted this as a reply in an existing thread, or quoted the
original message that outlines the problem, so it's unlikely that anyone
will know what you're talking about, unfortunately. Please repost with full
details.

Oops - sorry I'm having the same problem as outlined below. Window is saving
my from myself by blocking my zipfile. When I right click to "unblock" as
directed by windows help, the unblock option is conveniently absent. Not
greyed out, mind you, but completely non-existant.

Right lads, Same issue as the fellas down here, but nothing else installed
appart from W2K3 with SP1. Any ideas how to "unblock" zip files since the
option "UNBLOCK" is not there as M$ suggests. Many thanks

It could be a couple of things.

1. The zip file has a leading backslash or some other path separator
issue that doesn't agree with Windows.
2. The file was downloaded using IE and has retained the Internet Zone
data in an NTFS alternate data stream.

You can get around #1 by using a different unzip utility. WinRAR is my
current favorite.
You can get around #2 by removing the alternate data stream using
SysInternals streams utility with the -d option - "streams -d".

See http://tinyurl.com/26rmw3 for the solution.

3 options:
GET RID OF YOUR M$ BOX AND BUY A MAC;
INSTALL LINUX; or
If you really can't do any of the 2 above, install WINZIP my friend!

In most cases InfoZip would be more suitable, because it is free and open
source. (In my personal opinion it is also superior to WinZip.)

Thats if you can be arsed to understand their website :D