WinZip Recovery Software
Recovery Toolbox for ZIP
Recovery Toolbox for ZIP read and extract files from corrupted ZIP, SFX files, and archived folders of Windows OS
How to recover a damaged Zip archive with files
Updated: 2026-02-20Instructions for recovering files from a damaged Zip archive:
- Download Recovery Toolbox for ZIP from here: https://zip.recoverytoolbox.com/download/RecoveryToolboxForZipInstall.exe
- Install the program Recovery Toolbox for ZIP
- Launch the program Recovery Toolbox for ZIP
- On the first page of the program Recovery Toolbox for ZIP, select the damaged WinZip archive (file with extension .zip)
- Wait until analysis of the .zip file is finished
- Select the files or folders that you want to save from the damaged ZIP archive. You have to select the files marked with a blue exclamation mark "!"
- Enter or select the folder for saving the recovered files
How to recover data from corrupted ZIP archives
Recovery Toolbox for ZIP is designed to recover files from corrupted Zip or WinZip archives (all versions). The program scans the archive, detects the data structure, and tries to recover as much information from the corrupted archive file as possible. Using several different recovery algorithms, the tool makes it possible to achieve minimal loss of useful data stored in the corrupted archive. In addition, Recovery Toolbox for ZIP can check data integrity, which allows it to increase the quality of recovery. The zip file recovery program shows a full data recovery report during its operation.
The intuitive and easy interface allows even an inexperienced user to repair a faulty WinZip archive easily. The Zip recovery process consists of several steps. Recovery Toolbox for ZIP looks like a recovery wizard with a simple operation on each step.
Just select a corrupted Zip archive file on the first page and press the Next button. The algorithms of the zip recovery program scan the archive and determine the files stored in it. On the third page of the Zip recovery tool, the user can look at a list of files and the structure of folders in the archive that are available for recovery.
How to recover a WinZip archive
Main features of Recovery Toolbox for ZIP:
- Extract files from all versions of Zip/WinZip archives
- Repair data from archives with CRC errors
- Selectively save files and folders from a damaged Zip archive
- Recover data from encrypted archives
- Works with password-protected Zip archives
- Works with Zip archives larger than 4 GB
- Works with Zip archives via LAN
- Uses several independent algorithms, making it possible to recover as much useful information from a corrupted archive as possible
- ZIP Viewer Tool
- Displays and repairs files from damaged WinZip archives
Main situations when Zip archives are corrupted:
- Operating system failures
- Power failures
- Restarting the system with the RESET button and others
- Some viruses
- Incorrect operations of antivirus software
- Archives being partially downloaded/copied
- Errors in the functioning of some software with the archive
Free Zip File Viewer
Recovery Toolbox for Zip is very convenient to use it for viewing the contents of a damaged WinZip archive. The tool can work as a viewer for Zip files, even if you do not have WinZip installed. The tool allows you to open and view any Zip files for an unlimited number of times.
Recovery Toolbox for Zip provides a preview of the folder structure and the list of files from the WinZip archive. The tool opens corrupted Zip files for viewing. It is free for an unlimited number of times.
How to Open the Corrupted Zip File for Free
Recovery Toolbox for Zip allows you to open a damaged WinZip file for free and display the list of files and folder structure from the damaged Zip archive on the preview page.
How to Restore WinZip Archive
To restore a file from a damaged WinZip archive, you can use the last archive backup or return to the previous stable copy of the *.zip file, or try to use Recovery Toolbox for Zip. With a very high probability, Recovery Toolbox for Zip can restore files from the *.zip archive to its original state before they were damaged. To verify this statement, it is necessary to:
- Download, install, and run the DEMO version of Recovery Toolbox for Zip.
- Select a damaged .zip archive.
- Run the analysis of the damaged Zip file.
- Review which files and folders are available for full recovery on the preview page.
- Select a folder to save recovered files.
- Save files restored from the archive to disk - available in the full version.
How to Fix WinZip Archive
If you need to fix a damaged WinZip archive, then the full version of Recovery Toolbox for Zip will allow you to do this in a few simple steps. Zip archives can be repaired by extracting and saving files from the damaged .zip archive to disk. Fixing a Zip file doesn’t require the installed WinZip archiver. The tool doesn’t fix or modify the existing Zip file. All recovered files are saving in separate files on disk. Fixing a Zip file doesn’t require any specialized knowledge of IT; the qualifications of a regular Windows user are sufficient.
Requirements:
- Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista/7/8/10/11 or Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016 and above
Notes:
- The zip recovery tool does not modify corrupted *.zip files.
- The recovery Zip files tool only extracts data and saves it to the hard disk.
- The zip recovery program preserves the initial data structure when saving folders and files.
- The names of files and directories also remain unchanged.
- The rate of scanning an archive depends on the size of the archive and the performance of the computer. It may take quite a while to recover data on slow computers.
- Recovery Toolbox for ZIP is commercial software. Unregistered users cannot save data to disk.
Screenshots:
Selecting a damaged ZIP archive
Viewing information recovered from the damaged ZIP archive
Selecting a folder where the recovered information will be saved
Viewing the results of saving the recovered information
Errors:
With Recovery Toolbox for ZIP you can fix next errors:
- File Path: Either multipart or corrupt ZIP archive.
- The Compressed Folder is invalid.
- CRC failed error.
- The file or directory is corrupt and non-readable.
- Expected Zip file header not found.
- Cannot open file: it does not appear to be a valid archive.
- Invalid data into a Zip file.
- The archive was empty or otherwise corrupt.
- WinZip Self-Extractor file is damaged.
How it Works:
Download software from website.
Start Install software:
- Press on downloaded installation file in browser
- Select a downloaded installation file in Windows Explorer and press Enter or double click on it
Please confirm warning message:
Run installation wizard:
Run program:
- Double click on icon on desktop:
or
- Select from main menu: Start | Programs | Recovery Toolbox for ZIP | Recovery Toolbox for ZIP
Please select a damaged zip file on first page of repair wizard in Recovery Toolbox for ZIP:
Press Next button:
The program displays a folder tree and a list of files in each folder. Select the folders and/or files you want to keep from the damaged WinZip archive.
Press Next button:
Select path to save a recovered data:
On last page shows a detailed log of recovery process:
Video:
Online help:
Recovery Toolbox for ZIP (Download) is designed to recover information from corrupted ZIP files. This tool scans the archive and saves recovered files to the hard disk. The program has a simple and intuitive interface. Data recovery process consists of several steps:
Recovering data from corrupted ZIP files
- Selecting the corrupted zip archive you need to recover data from
- Scanning the ZIP archive
- Selecting folders and files that should be recovered
- Selecting the directory for the recovered files
- Recovering and saving data
Let us describe each recovery step in more details.
At the beginning the program asks the user to enter the name of the archive that should be recovered. You can either select the file using the standard Open File dialog box or select it from the history list.
In this step the tool scans the archive and displays the list of files in it. The time needed to scan an archive depends on the size of the archive and on the performance of the computer.
3. Selecting folders and files that should be recovered
After the tree of folders and the list of files are displayed, the user needs to select data that should be recovered. After that he can manually select the folders and files or click the Check All button in order to select all files or the Check Good button that will select items that can be correctly recovered (the program determines the possibility of correct recovery while scanning the archive). The Uncheck All button clears the selection of all items.
To make the work more convenient, the program marks all files in the table with exclamation marks of different color that show if recovery is possible:
- A blue exclamation mark (!) means that the file will be recovered.
- A yellow exclamation mark (!) means that recovery is possible.
- A red exclamation mark (!) shows that the file can't be recovered.
4. Selecting the directory for the recovered files
In this step the user is supposed to select the folder the recovered data will be saved to. It is possible to select the directory using either the standard dialog box or the history list. By default, the tool saves data to the ZIP repaired folder located in the directory where the source ZIP archive is stored.
In the last step the program extracts data from the corrupted ZIP archive and saves it to the folder selected in the previous step. After that the user can see a report about the procedure.
Note:Recovery Toolbox for ZIP is a shareware product. Unregistered users cannot save recovered data to the disk.
Buying Recovery Toolbox for ZIP:
- An email with a registration code and instructions for activating this code will be sent to the user immediately after the payment confirmation.
- An email with a registration code will be sent from several different mail servers to prevent messages from appearing in SPAM filters. Accordingly, a possible duplication of registration letters received in the user's mailbox.
- To activate the registration code, you need to run the application in Windows under a user with Administrator rights.
- The number of Personal, Business or Site licenses activated simultaneously must not exceed the number of purchased licenses.
- We sell software via registration services PayPro Global and Noventiq. That is why not Recovery Toolbox, but the corresponding company will be specified in the payment documents.
The purchased registration key is valid for all 1.x versions of Recovery Toolbox for ZIP.
Reasons to Buy Recovery Toolbox for ZIP Full Version
The benefits of buying the full version of Recovery Toolbox for ZIP, allowing you to repair corrupted WinZip archives (identified by the .zip extension), compared to the free version:
Enhanced Repair Capabilities:
- Deeper Corruption Repair: The free version might have limitations on how complex the corruption it can address. The full version likely utilizes more advanced repair algorithms, increasing the chances of salvaging the maximum data possible from your corrupted archive.
- More Complete Archive Recovery: The free version might only preview repaired files. The full version may allow recovery of various crucial elements, including:
- File Structure: Rebuilds the folder and subfolder structure within the archive, ensuring your files are organized as intended.
- Compressed Data: Restores the compressed data within the archive, potentially recovering files in their original format (e.g., documents, images, videos).
- Corrupted Filenames: Repairs corrupted filenames within the archive, making them recognizable and accessible again.
Usability and Functionality:
- ZIP Archive Preview: The full version might offer a ZIP archive preview functionality. It lets you see a list of recoverable files within the archive before saving, allowing you to prioritize what needs to be recovered.
- Selective Recovery: The free version might offer limited recovery options. The full version might allow you to choose specific files or folders to recover from the archive, focusing on critical data.
- Detailed Recovery Reports: The full version might provide detailed reports on the repair process. These reports can offer insights into the type of corruption encountered and the recovery success rate for different files within the archive.
Additional Considerations:
- Technical Support: The full version might come with access to technical support from the software developer. It can be invaluable if you encounter issues during the repair process or have questions about software use.
- Free Updates: Purchasing the full version might entitle you to receive free updates for a specific period. These updates can include bug fixes, compatibility improvements with newer versions of WinZip, and potentially even enhanced repair capabilities.
While the free DEMO version of Recovery Toolbox for ZIP can analyze corrupt WinZip archives (identified by the .zip extension) and potentially show you a list of recoverable files, its most significant limitation lies in its inability to extract and save the recovered data. Here's how the full paid version bridges that gap:
Save Recovered Files from WinZip Archives:
- The Crucial Advantage: The free DEMO allows you to analyze the corrupt archive and preview a list of files that could be recovered. However, the full version grants the ability to save these recovered files. It allows you to access and save the valuable information extracted from the corrupted archive.
Benefits of Saving Recovered Files:
- Data Accessibility: By saving the recovered files, you regain access to the valuable information stored within the corrupted archive.
- Further Editing and Use: Once saved, you can edit, manipulate, and utilize the recovered files within their respective applications.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing you can recover and save your data offers peace of mind, especially when dealing with critical information stored in WinZip archives.
Additional Considerations:
Selective Recovery Still Valuable: Even with the ability to save the entire archive, the full version's potential for selective recovery (mentioned previously) remains valuable. You can save only specific files or folders from the archive, focusing on the critical data you need.
Remember:
- While the free DEMO provides valuable insight into the potential for recovery, the full version allows you to utilize the recovered data by saving the extracted files.
- You can decide if the full version's saving capabilities justify the purchase by evaluating the severity of your archive corruption and the importance of the data you need to recover.
Resources:
- WinZip on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WinZip
- Official website of WinZip: https://www.winzip.com/en/
Customer's reviews and ratings:
So what happened was that I was downloading files from my drive and deleting them so I would have more storage space. I downloaded the folder "2022" and after it was downloaded in my computer I proceeded to delete it in drive (also from the trash bin). When I tried to open the folder in my computer it said that it was damaged, and I had no way of retrieving the folder since I had already deleted it from the original source.
helpfull
one imp file showed as error not saved
it is slow rest is fine
very good experience .sometime it works slow but ,great job.
awsome..its great tools
thank you..
YOU SAVE MY MEMORY. I RECOVERED MY 20 YEAR OLD CD DATA VIA THIS SOFTWARE
Very good app
good app
I'm not actually sure how the zip file got corrupted. It had been stored on google drive for a long time and turned out to be corrupt when I tried to use it.
Either it was copying it from the computer to google drive or it may have been caused by some very long filenames causing the zip to be corrupted when it was created.
However, I was able to get the files I needed back from the zip, so the outcome was successful 😊
Optimal
It recovered my video as much as possible. I think the main goal of this software is to recover to the fullest extent and at least allow the disc-reader to read through the whole file. This is not some magic tool and parts that are too damaged will be replaced with grey color(not fully). It took me incredibly long for 1 GB file(about 2 days) where only about 30-40 seconds were damaged(I was really impressed by the speed of going through not damaged parts-even my reader couldnt read that fast; 90% of the time has gone to recovering that seconds). Overall, I'm happy with the results as I didnt care about the damaged parts, my main goal was to download the file which I couldnt do before. It's the only software I've tried so I cant really tell how good this software has done compared to others
this program is verry good
It has been damaged when zipping the file. it's a video from Iphone.
The zip file was damaged and I don'k know why. It has been already recovered, but the problem was that, after testing it with your demo, I bought the license and after register the software with your license, it was required to reboot the software, so I had to start again the recovery.
As a computer's technical and adivsor, I'm user of a lot of software for several works and always use a demo before purchasing the license (if it looks that works, of course), and from the demos version, after registering the license, it is not required to reboot the software, so I can continue with the data recovery (or whatever it needed) without loosing the time invested in checking the software. In your case, I had to start again the recovery, so it means that I loost a lot of time because of the need of restart your software after registering the purchased license.
So I guess that it would be interesting change this behaviour of your software after buying the license in demo cases. Best regards, Jordi
The program helped me a lot.
5+
Files from the damaged archive were extracted. But the scan was VERY long.
All my crashed by viruses zip archives were restored for a moment. But tool doesn't support huge files.
Software helped me to recover zip archives. But some errors shows during parsing corrupted zip files.