subject: Tips To Resolve cannot Open File Error Message In Zip File [print this page] Also known as an archive file, a Zip file format is used to compress one or more files into a single container file. Generally, the data is compressed to save storage space and enable quick transfer over the Internet. Additionally, Zip file also provides an optional password padlock on its contents. But sometimes, when you try to extract a Zip file after downloading it, the file may fail to extract, due to which the data saved in the Zip file becomes inaccessible. In such situations, you can use a recent and valid data backup to restore the data. However, if there is no backup or the backup is incomplete, then you will need to use an effective Repair Zip File application to retrieve the data from the Zip file.
For instance You have downloaded a Zip file from the Internet. When you try to extract the file, it does not gets extracted and you encounter the below error message:
Cannot open file: it does not appear to be a valid archive. If you downloaded this file, try downloading the file again.
You may not be able to access the data stored in the Zip file right after the above error message occurs. Furthermore, you come across the same error message even after subsequent attempts to extract the file.
Cause
The above situation occurs if the compression of HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) is turned on in the properties of either your website or your Outlook account ( if you have downloaded the file from the Outlook account). This changes the encoding of the file and the unzip program fails to recognize it.
Resolution
To resolve these issues, consider the following measures:
If you have downloaded the file from a particular website, then you need to turn off the HTTP compression. As a result, the file will be downloaded in its original encoding and the unzip programs will be able to successfully extract it.
If you have downloaded the file from your Outlook account, then the only solution is to repair the corrupted Zip file to retrieve the data. This can be done by using a third-party application known as repair zip software. The software comprehensively Repair Zip File and allows you to access the data stored in the Zip file. These applications employ high end scanning algorithms to repair the corrupt Zip file completely.
Stellar Phoenix Zip Recovery is a flawless software that enables you to repair the corrupt Zip file systematically. The zip repair software successfully repairs and restores all sub-types of Zip files, which are password protected, for WinZip 5.0 to WinZip 8.0. Built with highly intuitive user-interface, this repair software is easy to use and understand. The read-only software is compatible with Windows Me, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista operating systems.
