I am sorry for the trouble you have encountered and I will try my best to help you. First you need to know that we have nothing to do with winzip. WinZip is another company...not Credit-Aid Software. We do not know Winzip and we are not associated with them in any way.  Also, you do not need winzip to open a zip file. Windows can open zip files just fine (like a folder) without any 3rd-party tools like winzip. Opening zip files is a normal function of windows. However, since you installed Winzip at some point, that is why your Windows now associates Winzip with opening zip files.  Dont worry, this can be fixed! :)

Here is how Winzip got on your computer and why it is popping up now: You must have downloaded a trial version of winzip at some point and that is why your computer is trying to use winzip to open the zip file. By installing Winzip, you have changed your windows to associate zip wiles with WinZip. This is why it keeps asking you to buy Winzip evey time you try to open a zip file. Very clever marketing on their behalf...

Because this same thing has happened to others, we write information about this in our download letter...where it says "**Please note: Windows 7, Vista or XP do not require any additional software such as winzip to open a zip file. Windows opens a zip file just like a folder--unless your computer's file associations are incorrect." 

Here is how opening a zip file should work:

1. Right-click on the zip file that you want to open
2. Choose the Explore option from the menu that appears.
3. The zip file should now open just like a folder to display the contents.
4. Double click on the file you want to use or drag it to your desktop

That's how easy it should be.  If that doesnt work on your computer, please read on further...

Uninstalling WInZip

If you dont want winzip you should uninstall it (in your CONTROL PANEL >ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS). If you uninstall Winzip and you still cannot open a zip file by either double clicking on it or with a right mouse click and choosing "EXPLORE" , then you have done some damage to your file associations. Dont worry, these are easily reset.  Zip files are opened with a tool in your Windows directory that is called Explorer.exe (this is what WIndows calls "Windows Explorer"). 

How to reset the file association to Windows Explorer instead of Winzip.

1. Do a right mouseclick on a zip file
2. choose "Open With" and then select "Choose Default Program"
3. Click on "Browse" and navigate to C:\WIndows and look for explorer.exe.  Click on explorer.exe and click below on the button that says "Open"
4. Now you should be back at the "OPEN WITH" WIndow and Windows Explorer should be there and highlighted.
5. Click the little box that says "Always use the selected profram to open this kind of file" and then click OK...and a few seconds later... Voila! your zip file will open just like a folder.  Then simply double click on the installer inside and it should run perfectly.

Most people install Credit-AId software in about a minute -- it's that easy. However, since you are having difficulty with open zip files, this adds more steps. See if the article above will help. It should. If you need further help to open your zip file let us know and we will try our best to help you quickly,

Tammy F.
Credit-Aid Team
www.credit-aid.com