I work with an application that packages files into "Zipped Folders" (yeah, just ZIP files), but uses a different file extention. It works exactly like .gadget (Windows Gadgets) and .themepack (Windows Themes) files work: you can rename them to .zip and open them with the zip viewer.I want to skip the step of renaming it each time. I want to just associate the files with the zip viewer. In fact I don't need to associate it, just open-with a single time: I know if I can do it once, it will always be an available option on the right-click context menu of the files.But I can't find which program is associated with zip files. I tried searching the system32 folder.

Open Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Default Programs\Set Associations and see what file is associated with .ZIP, then create a new entry for the extension you want pointing to the same program.Rich

Sorry I forgot to mention... I tried looking in there and oddly enough there's no .zip extension in the in the list.

Ok so why not just go into that folder with that has the extension that hasn't been changed. Lets say the file ends in .z01 or something like that. Right click the file, choose open with, and Choose Default Program, then choose the zip viewer. Select always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box and click OK. Now you might have to tell the zip viewer program that the z01 is a zip file and add it to its list. I just re-read your first message and saw where you didn't want it to associate, just want to open a single time in that program. So you just open with and select the viewer (might have to browse for the program) and you still would probably have to tell the view that the file extension is a zip file. Making the assocation though would make it easier the next time you want to view the file without having to go through all the motions and Windows zip program will still extract zip files as it always has. MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

That's the root problem: I can't find the zip viewer.

Ahhh (my old man senile kicked in again) ;) so trying to point it to explorer.exe for the association doesn't get it? (which I figure you've already done.)MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

Yeah explorer just tosses it back to the "what do you want to do with this file?" prompt. If this was helpful, please vote by clicking the green triangle. If it solves the issue, click Propose as Answer. Thanks!

I found something of interest that I don't know if you've read it yet, check this out http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/13619-zip-folders-enable-disable-windows-explorer-view.html looks like a registry edit might be in order.MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]

That is an interesting post (it took me a few minutes to realize what they were talking about specifically though). I figured out how to set file association though: it must be done from the command line now (if you want to set a specific variables to pass and such, more than just 'open with'). This page explains how. That was an ordeal! Thanks for the comments and replies everyone.

I like that page much better and no registry editing either.MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]