====== Disable Windows Built-in Zip File Support ======

It used to be pretty easy to disable the built-in zip file support. Under Windows XP, you just excuted:

<code>
regsvr32 /u %WINDIR%\system32\zipfldr.dll
</code>

I have struggled constantly with disabling the built-in support under Vista and Windows 7. Most solutions I have tried just don't work. Finally, I have been able to accomplish this under both Vista and Window 7...

Here is how to disable zip support for Windows Vista:
  - Open Registry Editor.
  - Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID and delete the following keys:
    * {E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}
    * {0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}
  - On 64-bit systems, you'll also need to navigate to delete the two previous keys under the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID as well.
  - Restart Windows.

The process to disable zip support for Windows 7 is similar to Vista in terms of deleting the same registry keys. But due to additional built-in protections, you must first change ownership of the keys to your user account, which also must be an administrative account.

  - Open Registry Editor.
  - Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID and perform steps 3-7 for each of the two keys:
    * {E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}
    * {0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}
  - Right-click on the key and select “Permissions…”. Click “Advanced” and then the “Ownership” tab.
  - Select your user account from the list.
  - Check the box next to “Replace owner on sub-containers and objects”. Click “OK”.
  - In the “Security” tab, select your user account and grant Full Control. Click “OK” to apply the permissions settings.
  - Delete the registry key.
  - On 64-bit systems, you'll also need to perform steps 3-7 for the two previous keys under the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Wow6432Node\CLSID as well.
  - Restart Windows.