What I would NOT recommend is the default Window zip utility ...

Hi Pete,
I've been reading comments like this for a couple years now. I have XP Home SP3 and I have unzipped more files with Windows zip utility than the Pope's got Cardinals, without having a single problem.
Could you give a little detail as to why you recommend not using the Windows utility?
Many thanks in advance,
Joe
Yes very simple. I get 1000's of emails about site problems. A large proportion of these are to do with zip files or browser problems and a large proportion of these problems are resolved by using an alternative non MS product. IE I suggest FF. Most cases 'thanks problem solved' . Zip files? Try Winzip or much better Izarc. Same. 'Thank you!'. 1000's over the years. Very rarely does this simple solution not work.
I don't have the time or interest to go into all the variables of user systems - anti virus - firewalls - other stuff on their PC's. What I do know is MS takes the view that most people don't want to 'open the hood' so to speak and therefore I think it bites off more than it can chew, (too many user variables that MS did not think of) .... User problems.
Suggest an alternative software. Problem solved. It generally works.
Plus that windows zip thing is CLUNKY ...