Issues with Zip Files

Ultimate Form Mail is download thousands of times a month. Very rarely do I hear any issues about the zip file being corrupt or a problem.

But every now and then someone asks:

"Why can't I delete, open, rename, the files I downloaded?"

Some common conclusions that people jump to:

1. The zip file is corrupt
2. The zip file has a virus
3. I owe them a new computer

Actually, the correct answer is "None of the above".

After some research, it became clear that there is an issue with Windows (what a shock!) that deals with permissions for folders.

So, to save you some time, I'll give you links to those resources.

The most likely solution is here:

From Microsoft

And here is a Google search for more relevant info

And some links to other posts on my help forum:

Post 1

Post 2

Post 3

Questions:

"So if this is so common, and you're not to blame, then why has this never, ever happened to me before with anyone else's zip file?"

There is a bug in Windows XP. Actually, there's a ton of them, but I'm referring to one in particular. This bug was going to pop up eventually, it just happened to be my download that did it.

So I'm saying it's coincidence.

I can also back that up by the fact that each time this comes up, emailing these links solves the problem. No one has ever downloaded my zip file, only to find out that it was absolutely and irrevocably undeletable.

"If this has happened several times, then don't you think this is an issue related to your code/zip file/website?"

From everything I've researched, I'd have to say, "no".

I've contacted the vendor, and I've done my own Google searches.

I've tried other archiving software.

I've come to the conclusion that this is just one of the downsides of offering stuff to the public to download. It's a price of doing business.

I don't take it likely that you're having trouble that is linked to my product, even if it's an unfortunate coincidence.

Believe me, if I could squash this one, and do something to prevent it from ever happening again, I certainly would. If buying special software for $800 would solve it, I'd buy it.

"Why should I believe you? I think you did something nasty to my computer"

Look at the facts:

1. I have hundreds of happy clients that downloaded the same code you did
2. I have nothing to gain from offering a nasty evil file to corrupt your computer
3. You can look in my help forum and see that I'm a decent and helpful guy with hundreds of help requests answered personally by me
4. A Google search shows that this is clearly a Windows bug

I've been offering Ultimate Form Mail for five years or more now.

If squashing this bug cost me several hundred dollars, it would be well worth it to me, even given the small number of issues specific to this bug.

"Where can I go to find more info?"

Here is a Google search for "Can't delete file xp"

Here is the most useful Microsoft support page I've been able to find so far.

Testimonials: click to see