XP SP 3 and zipped files / folders

I think XP SP 3 is "helping" me by turning my zipped file downloads into zipped FOLDERS. How can I stop this happening. I just want *.zip files not FOLDERS. How can I turn them from FOLDERS back to files. I also can't load comments because they are FOLDERS. A PITA. Bazza

 

Something weird is going on. :confused I've run regsvr32 %windir%\system32\zipfldr.dll from the RUN command. I still get FOLDERS, not Files, but at least I can enter Comments.

I'd still like to stop FOLDERS, for zipped files, from being created though.

Any suggestions / ideas / fixes will be most appreciated. Bazza

 

Getting weirder, but good. :major I deleted MS Zip happening, as per last post. I installed 7-Zip 4.58 Beta from MG of course. Used http://www.majorgeeks.com/7-Zip_d4603.html

Booting up today and checking my C:\Downloads folder, all my Zip Folders are now Zip Files and described in "Type" as ZIP files. :cool :cool :major :major

Thank you 7-Zip , I really like to try and keep control over my PC and keep things as I want them, not have others try to "help" me.

Bazza