Using Extract in File Explorer Microsoft 'Surface.

Question

I recently received by e-mail an Adobe Zipped folder which I could not open in my Microsoft 'Surface' computer. In 'Compressed Folder Tools' the Extract Option was faded. I forwarded the e-mail to my Dell and there was no problem. Both computers are running Windows 8.1. Further checking showed that 'Extract' was faded when clicking on any zipped folder in File Explorer on the Surface. I also created a Zipped folder from an Adobe file in File Explorer on the Surface but again when I highlighted that newly created zip folder I could not extract the original file that I had Zipped. The Dell has no additional zip/unzip programs and I do not wish to add any other programs to do this task on the Surface computer.

Answer 1

Hi,

Thank you for updating us with the status of the issue. Glad to know that you are able to fix the issue. Let us know if you have any other issues with Windows in future.

Answer 2

Hi Vijay

Since last message I have solved problem.

The clue was that file extension .zip was associated with adobe reader which will not extract files. I was fooled by the fact that the compressed folder I was trying to open held Adobe files. I did not set the .zip association in the first place and how that happened I do not know. I discovered the error by downloading a program from the internet which did not include any Adobe files yet it was identified as an Adobe zip folder. So I went to the file associations that you suggested and changed the .zip association to windows explorer. Solved. I also did not understand why the Dell computer did not include .zip in the list of file extensions. Thanks for your help.

Answer 3

Thanks for your help Vijay but I'm still no nearer a solution.

The computer is a Surface Type No. 00191-50197-45614-AAOEM with 8.1 Pro OS installed. The Dell has 8.1 OS.

Surface 'file association' has .zip extension listed associated with Adobe Reader. Extension .zip not listed on Dell.

I have put the same Adobe zip file on the Desktop of both computers and an interesting difference is noted.

When I right click the files a different menu is shown.

Surface

           Open with Adobe Reader  (If clicked Window appears "Adobe could not open - either not supported or damaged)

           Open

           Print

           Open with .....   Adobe Reader  or  Windows Explorer

           Share with

           Send to

           Then Cut/copy/......../properties

Dell

           Extract

           Scan AVG

           Show with AVG

           Pin to Start

           AVG Shredder

           Open with File Explorer

           Share with

           Super Anti Spy

           Send to

           Then Cut/copy/......../properties

Since your response I have spent several hours examining and comparing file associations and Default programs. Perhaps a solution will appear when OS 10 arrives at the end of this month.

Answer 4

Hi,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community Forums. You have reached the right place. Let us work together to find the root cause of this issue and try resolving it.

Are you using Microsoft Surface or Surface pro?

This issue could be caused due to some incorrect settings. I would suggest you to first check if you have set up the default application in the right way. Refer to these articles:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/choose-programs-windows-uses-default

Please make sure that the PDF file type is associated with Adobe Acrobat application as mentioned in the section Associate a file type or protocol with a program in the above link.

Try these steps and get back to us with the results. We’d be happy to help if you need any further assistance.