I Can't Download And Open .zip Files

[boxtops]

what would I have to install, to be able to do this?

[Buenchico]

I'm confused as to why you can download zip files as the downloading process is the same irrespective of the type of file. (e.g. if you came across a file in a format that was only used for internal purposes in the University of Timbuktu you should still be able to download it - even though you wouldn't then be able to open it - since the system simply sees it as a block of data and has no way of knowing whether it's a .jpg file, .a pdf file, a .doc file or anything else).

Once you've downloaded it all of the more recent versions of Windows should be able to open it (simply by double-clicking on it) without the need for any additional software.

Some more information might help:
How are you trying to download/open the file? (If left-clicking on a download link doesn't work, right-click and choose 'Save target as' - or something similar, depending upon your browser)

[Buenchico]

PS: I've just checked. With Firefox it's 'Save link as', rather than 'Save target as' but all browsers will have something along those lines when you right-click.

[Old_Geezer]

There are many applications around that will open a zip file for you.
Try 7-Zip or Peazip, or whatever takes your fancy.

[boxtops]

I usually left-click, chris - and right-clicking Save As doesn't work either. It tells me that it's not been able to download the file into the location I chose. We're with IE, Windows Vista.

[Old_Geezer]

May be a 'rights' issue.
Why not allow it to download to the directory it wants, then move it ?

(Surely 'save link as' would try to save the text of the URL ?)

Maybe there is something wrong with the particular file you are trying to download ?

[Buenchico]

If it's a 'one off' issue it could simply be that, although the link is still on a web page, the relevant files is no longer available on the server you're trying to access.