Top 7 Fixes for ‘Compress to ZIP File’ Option Not Working in Windows 11
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Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest operating system, has brought many user-friendly features to make computing more efficient and enjoyable. One of these features is the ability to easily compress files and folders into a ZIP file directly from the File Explorer. However, like any technology, sometimes you may encounter issues where the ‘Compress to ZIP File’ option is not working as expected. Here are the top seven fixes you can try if you’re facing this problem:
1. Restart File Explorer: This is often the quickest fix. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find Windows Explorer, right-click on it, and then select “Restart”.
2. Run Windows Update: Ensure your Windows 11 is up to date as Microsoft frequently releases patches that can fix bugs and improve system performance. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click “Check for updates”.
3. Use Windows Troubleshooter: The built-in troubleshooter can detect and solve issues with compressed (zipped) folders. Access it by typing “troubleshoot” in the Start menu search, and follow the instructions provided.
4. Registry Tweak: Sometimes a registry entry might be preventing the zip function from working. Open Registry Editor by typing “regedit” in the Start menu search, navigate to `HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\CompressedFolder`, and ensure that none of its values are missing or corrupted.
5. Reinstall or Repair WinZip/WinRAR: If you’re using a third-party compression tool like WinZip or WinRAR, try repairing or reinstalling it. The installer typically has a repair function.
6. Check for Software Conflicts: Some software can conflict with Windows’ compression function. Check if recently installed applications might interfere with it, particularly disk utilities or shell extensions.
7. System Restore: If none of the above work, consider using System Restore to roll back your computer to a state when the ZIP feature was working correctly (type “Create a restore point” in search, open System Properties, and click on System Restore).
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue with the ‘Compress to ZIP File’ option not working in Windows 11 and continue to efficiently manage your files and folders.