Windows Explorer and ZIP files - a gotcha

Spit

If you use Winzip, or 7zip, to extract files no problem, and I think most do. However I prefer to drag n Drop b/c I open the zips first to make sure they'll land in the right place (ie, under Content and with the right folders) and since it's already open, just Select All and Drag n Drop to my other open Explorer Window.

Windows 10, and fer sure Vista, XP, server2003 have the following problem (I don't remember and may not have noticed whether Win7 has it too).

When Explorer extracts files from an archive gotten off the internet it changes the Last Modified Date to the date installed. Supposedly a safety measure.

Installing with the incorrect Modified Date causes problems when duplicate files are encountered when you do further installs (as in updates).

[I ran into it seriously with a batch of dozens of zips, some were full updates and most of the zips contained files that also were in other zips. (Not a mistake, a valid situation too hard to explain). ie a file in the installed zip will no longer have its modified date intact so when another zip contains that file it's considered a duplicate but you have no way of knowing which is really newer b/c you're comparing new file's modified date apple to installed file's install date orange. And if you select the new file to replace the installed one, its modified date will change as well.]

SOLUTION: Besides using WinZip or b/c you love drag n drop like I do.....

If you got the zip from the 'net before you extract or drag: right-click on the zip and get Properties. On the bottom of the General Tab with the label Security, tick the Checkbox that says UnBlock. Voila--no more date changes. Once you do it, you never see that check box again.

If this was too long for ya, just file it under esoteric knowledge. (But I'm sure there's someone, somewhere, who will be helped).

Ascania

Or you just drag-n-drop out of WinZip.

Fishtales

I drag and drop direct from Windows Explorer.

Spit

Ascania: Sure. I used to do that. But it is an extra step when you're already organizing, moving things from folder to folder, window to window, etc., in Explorer.

The point is to be careful and it's something Windows has done before but I'd never.heard.of.it and it's important. I actually enjoy using Explorer.

Fishtales: You're on Win7. I don't remember if Win7 did it or I just never noticed.

 

 

kyoto kid

...unfortunately, when I right click on anything ends whether I am wanting to extract a .zip, deleting files, or just viewing file details/attributes, I end up with a swirly that can last several minutes.  Very annoying.