I know this is off-topic again, but I think it's important enough that all Windows' user should see it. Feel free to move this message if needed, just make sure that anyone with XP, SP2 knows where to find it. :)

Apologies if this has been posted before, but here is how to re-enable the ability to download zip files under Windows XP, Service Pack (SP) 2.

If you intalled XP, SP2, you probably found out (the hard way) that Internet Explorer will no longer download zip files. You can tell if your settings are wrong if:

• When you click to download a zip file, IE will sit and sit and nothing seems to be happening.
• When you click to download a zip file, the file is "opened" in IE, meaning the contents of the zip file are displayed in the browser window as text characters.
  This is due to two reasons: tightened security settings by Microsoft and a re-setting of the zip file attributes (again, to tighten security).

First, you'll need to re-set the default action for zip files to "Open with WinZip":
Open Windows Explorer.
Go to Tools > Folder Options.
Click on the tab for File Types.
Scroll to the bottom for Zip files.
Click the Advanced button.
Under the "Actions" list, click "Open with WinZip" and then click the "Set Default" button.
Make sure "Confirm open after download" is CHECKED.
Click the OK button to close the dialog boxes.

Note: These instructions assume that you use WinZip to manage zip files. If you do not have WinZip (and use Windows' built-in zip file feature), then go download WinZip (it's free). :)

Next, you may need to set the "pop-up" window option in Internet Explorer so sites can "pop-up" the download window correctly.
Open Internet Explorer.
Go to Tools > Pop-Up Blocker > Pop-Up Blocker Settings.
Type in the URL of the site to allow pop-ups (such as Vanishing Point or Renderosity).
Note: do NOT turn off pop-up windows completely unless you use another software program to manage pop-ups... or unless you like pop-up windows.

SP2 also adds a new Control Panel called "Security Center" which allows you to manage your firewall, anti-virus, and automatic update settings. Leaving these in their default settings will not affect the downloading of zip files.

--John

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