Skip to content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer

Special Note for Opening ZIP Files Using Compressed Folders

Many versions of Windows (e.g. Windows Me, Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7/8.x/10) are configured, by default, so that double clicking a ZIP file opens the contents of that ZIP file in an Explorer window, much like a normal folder on your hard drive.  Microsoft refers to this feature as Compressed Folders.

However, it is important to note that the files shown by Explorer in the compressed folder cannot be used or manipulated in entirely the same manner as files in a normal folder.  For example, before using the TeraByte Unlimited "TBICD2HD" utility, all applicable ZIP files must be fully extracted first.  You can think of this process as copying the files from the compressed folder to a normal folder.

With that in mind, here is what you need to do to handle the ZIP files provided by TeraByte Unlimited, if you are using the compressed folder feature:

  • After downloading the ZIP file, double-click it to open it.  If Windows is configured to use compressed folders, then the contents of the ZIP file will be displayed in an Explorer window.

  • In the left pane of the Explorer window (or on the top button bar), you should see a link that says Extract all files.  You can select this command and then use the Extraction Wizard to proceed with the extraction of the ZIP file.  Once you have used the Extraction Wizard to extract the contents of the ZIP file to a selected folder, you can simply open the extraction target folder in Explorer and manipulate the files as needed.

  • Alternatively, or if you do not see the Extract all files command, you can manually select all the files listed and copy them to another folder to extract the contents of the ZIP file.

Please refer to the following links for more information on using compressed folders:

Compress and uncompress files (zip files) in Windows 7

Compress and uncompress files (zip files) in Windows Vista

How To Use Compressed (Zipped) Folders in Windows XP

Description of Compressed Folders and Files With .Zip File Extensions in Windows Millennium Edition

Was This Article Helpful?

0