How to Stop Windows 11 From Opening ZIP Folders Automatically

Method 1The Quick Fix Using the Extraction Wizard

The Extraction Wizard (the built-in tool that unpacks compressed files) stops Windows 11 from opening ZIP folders automatically when you clear one checkbox. Right-click any ZIP file, choose Extract All, and uncheck the box that shows extracted files when complete. Windows remembers this choice for all future extractions so those extra windows stop popping up.

1. Find any .zip file on your computer, right-click it, and choose Extract All… from the menu. This opens the built-in Windows extraction wizard.
2. Look right at the bottom of the extraction window. You will see a checkbox that says Show extracted files when complete.
3. Click that checkbox to clear the checkmark and turn off the feature. Windows will remember this choice for future extractions.
4. Choose your destination folder and click the Extract button as you normally would.

If you share your computer with other people, changing the ZIP file behavior on your account will not change how ZIP files behave when other people log in to their own accounts.

Method 2Dive Into the Registry Editor for Deeper Control

Registry Editor (a database that stores Windows settings ⚙️) lets you stop Windows 11 from opening ZIP folders automatically by changing a system key. Press the Win+R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the tool. This method applies the fix across the entire computer and keeps extra windows from appearing for any user account.

1. Press the Win+R on your keyboard to open the Run box. Type regedit into the text field and press Enter.
2. If a User Account Control prompt pops up asking if you want to let the app make changes, click Yes to continue.
3. Use the left sidebar to navigate through the folders until you reach this exact address: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ExtractionWizard
4. If you do not see a folder named ExtractionWizard at the end of that path, right-click the Explorer folder, select New, and then click Key. Name that new key ExtractionWizard.
5. Click on the ExtractionWizard folder, look at the empty space on the right side of the screen, right-click, choose New, and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Name this new value exactly ShowExtractedFiles and press Enter.
7. Double-click your newly created ShowExtractedFiles value to open its settings box. Make sure the Base is set to Hexadecimal, and type 0 into the Value data box to turn off the pop-up window. (If you ever want to turn it back on, you can change this value to 1).
8. Click OK, close the Registry Editor, and restart your 🔄 computer or restart Windows Explorer 📁 in Task Manager 📊 to save the change.

Warning: Always be careful when changing things in the Registry. Deleting or changing the wrong keys by accident can cause system problems. Follow the path and values listed above carefully.

Method 3Automate the Change With PowerShell

PowerShell (a command-line shell used for system administration) stops Windows 11 from opening ZIP folders automatically by running a quick script. Click your Start button, type PowerShell, and run the command with administrator rights. This automates the fix across multiple computers without requiring you to click through manual menus.

1. Click your Start button, type PowerShell, and select Run as administrator so the tool has the permissions it needs to change system settings. (Requires administrator privileges)
2. To turn off the automatic pop-up window completely, copy and paste this command into the window and press Enter:

   New-Item -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ExtractionWizard" -Force
   Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ExtractionWizard" -Name "ShowExtractedFiles" -Value 0

3. If you ever need to change it back and turn the pop-up window on again, run this command instead:

   Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ExtractionWizard" -Name "ShowExtractedFiles" -Value 1

This makes sure every work laptop or shared computer behaves the same way without requiring manual setup from users.

Summary

Stopping Windows 11 from opening ZIP folders automatically takes just a few seconds using the built-in Extraction Wizard, the Registry Editor, or PowerShell. You can use the wizard for a quick fix on your own PC, the registry for system-wide control, or PowerShell to automate the change across multiple computers and stop extra windows from popping up.