My computer suddenly lost the ability to recognize zip file. The icon no longer looks like the folder with a zipper through it (it looks like the more generic icon). It still works if I double-click on it so it's not such a big deal, but it would be nice to get the icon back. Any help would be appreciated.

Look at your file associations for zip files. Correct as needed. Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search

If there is no association with .zip files you can do one of two things. Open "My Computer. Click on "Tools". Chose "Folder Options". In the "Folder Options" dialog box under "File Types" Click on the "New" button. Type in the extension you want to associate (in this case .zip but leave out the dot) then click "OK". Find the new extension (should be at the top of the list) and click the "Change" button. From the "Open with" options window pick the program that you want the files to open with (in this case I assume it would be Winzip) or browse for it if it is not shown. Make sure that the "Always use..." box is checked the click "OK". Close the "Folder Options window. Your zip files should now be associated with Winzip (or your .zip opening program). If not the second option is to reinstall your .zip file opening program. That should re-associate your .zip files with the program. Software gives me a headache.

You neglected to mention whether the "icon" you refer to is the original file, or a shortcut to it... Regardless, it may be just a simple iconcache problem, if I read your post correctly. Among several methods to update the iconcache is this simple one: • Boot into Safe Mode first, then • Re-boot into Normal This forces a refresh of the iconcache databse file.

gibby, Since double clicking the zip file opens it it appears that the file association is OK and it's more of a icon problem. Have you gone into Folder Options>File Types and scroll down to ZIP, hilite it, click the Advanced button, click the Change Icon button and choose the correct icon? If that dowsn't correct the problem try the following. Start your computer in SAFE mode then estart it in Normal mode. This will rebuild the iconcache.db file and may correct the problem. How to Start Windows in Safe Mode http://www.pchell.com/support/safem... You could also download Tweak UI at the link below. After you install it you'll find it in Start>Programs>Powertoys for Windows XP>Tweak UI. Open it and under Repair then choose Rebuild Icons. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/... Tufenuf

Thanks everyone, Recreating the zip association in file types did the trick.

Surprise surprise [as Gomer Pile would say] Always nice when it works out. Thanks for posting back. Imagine the power if you knew how to internet search