How to not search in zip files (XP Home SP1)

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Hello!
Is it possible to not include ZIP files in searches? When I do a search, for example after a PDF file, the result can contain copies that are saved in ZIP files. I can not remember that this was the case with Windows 95.

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Thanks for quick answer. Well, for the moment I have another compression utility associated with ZIP files. So I guess I don’t have to disable the integrated ZIP file viewer. Normally one would like to be able to do searches in arhcive files. But if you have many ZIP files and some of the content have been extracted, you will end up with multiple files during a search.

There should be a way to choose if archives should be included in search. Perhaps DOS is the only alternative?

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There’s no option in Windows XP to avoid certain file types that I know of. Disabling the integrated zip feature in XP may knock that out, however – previous versions of Windows didn’t search within files unless you specified “Search slow files” or searched for “Containing text.” Worth a try!

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Look for ‘Stop search from scanning zip files’ under the “S” section here: Windows XP From A to Z

Joe

--Joe

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Again, thanks for your replies. It seems more and more like if there is a solution it will be given here in the Lounge.

Solution to my problem:
The integrated ZIP file viewer in Windows XP is, though very basic, a great step forward. However after installing Windows XP and adding different programs I also installed another ZIP program. The ZIP files where associated with the new program. Thus, I didn’t unreg “zipfldr.dll”. It worked well, but I found it a bit annoying to get multiple files in search result.

Thanks to Cowboy I tried following:
I removed the association with ZIP files in the ZIP program. Now the files where associated with the integrated “zipfldr.dll”. Then I run: regsvr32 /u zipfldr.dll. Search result didn’t include ZIP files, OK. After that I associated ZIP files with the ZIP program. It works great, no ZIP files included and no multiple files.

Joe: your link gave also info. to understand how this work. If there is no other ZIP program than the integrated “file viewer”, you have to unreg. and then reg. after, to stop searching in ZIP files. I’m glad I use different ZIP program.

Next step would be to not include “My computer” (don’t know english name, using non-english Windows), as search result also includes links to files. But that is probaly not possible.

Many thanks!

Regards,

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It appears that this is a one-time solution. By this I mean that you have to do this process each time you (re)start. Is this correct? If yes, can I just place a tilde (~) in front of the zipfldr.dll file so that XP can’t find it and install it?

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What do you mean one time? If you unregister the dll it will stay unregistered and not process the ZIP file(s). If you reregister the dlls you are reenabling the functionality. If you have another ZIP file processor you can leave the dlls unregistered.

Joe

--Joe

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Joe, I was under the (mistaken) impression that unregistering held only until the next restart. Thanks for clarifying.

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If you want a less intrusive method to exclude certain file types from a search, you’d do well to grab a small ware tool like Super Finder 1.3.4 build 2 – Powerful replacement for Windows® built-in search, more speed and functions. It easily lets you exclude specified file types.

If you’re prepared to learn some of the basics of Regular-Expressions, then a utility like Agent Ransack offers a myriad of other filtering options.

Alan

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Thanks, Alan. Useful tips are *always* welcome.

Yes, −273.15

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Hi,
I see now that you have got an appropriate answer by Joe; somehow I didn’t get an e-mail note about your post. This was quite some old post; I don’t think I have the machine set up this way at the moment after SP2. But it can be really useful if you have a lot of ZIP archives or big ZIP archives.

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