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File Extension ZIX
Name: ZIX
or .zix
Description: The file extension ZIX is related to both a
file compression utility as well as Intuit Quicken files. In
the case of the WinZix file compression utility, it has been
identified as malware.
Author:
WinZIX, Inc. for WinZIX-related ZIX files and Intuit for
Quicken-related ZIX files.
Category:
Malware (WinZIX), Data (Quicken)
File Type:
Malware (WinZIX), Data (Quicken)
Problems:
Because the file extension ZIX is related to two different
applications, we’ll look at the two types separately. WinZIX
claims to be a compression software however it has been
known to install spyware on computers and may not actually
compress files. In addition, it has an ad-ware component as
well as a EULA that says you may not use anti-spyware
programs against it. We highly recommend against using
WinZIX or opening a WinZIX file other than Quicken files you
have generated using the Intuit Quicken software.
Quicken
ZIX files are legitimate files that you may occasionally
have trouble opening. Perhaps your spyware program is set to
block the opening of ZIX files due to the problem with
WinZIX. Or perhaps Quicken needs updating. You may have a
registry-related ZIX error. To rule out a registry error,
run our free registry scan.
Manual
Removal Instructions: To manually remove a ZIX file,
right-click the Start button and click on Explore to open up
Windows Explorer. On the left, double-click the drive you’d
like to search for ZIX file extensions. Next, go up to the
Search bar and type in: *.ZIX
This will
tell Windows to search for any file ending with the
extension of .ZIX. Windows will display a list of all ZIX
files found on the selected drive. Navigate to the specific
ZIX you’d like to delete. Right-click on the ZIX file and
click on Delete. When asked if you are sure you want to send
the ZIX file to the Recycle Bin, click on Yes.
Solution/Recommendations:
Never open
an unexpected file extension ZIX file as it may contain
viruses, spyware, adware, or other malicious programs. If a
friend or co-worker sends you a file you are expecting in
the ZIX format, ask that they use a different format such as
ZIP because of concerns with spyware.
If you are
having trouble opening legitimate Quicken ZIX files, make
sure you are running the latest version of the software.
Intuit releases regular updates and patches to repair known
issues with the application. In addition, ZIX file
corruption and missing ZIX file associations can often be
linked to registry-related errors. Because of this, we
highly recommend a registry scan to rule out potential ZIX
file extension problems with the registry itself.
If you
have Quicken installed on your PC but are still having
trouble opening its ZIX files, it’s possible that the file
association got changed. Go back into Windows Explorer and
right-click on the ZIX file you’d like to open. Click on
Open With and then select Choose Default Program. Windows
will display a list of recommended programs such as Quicken.
If Quicken is listed click appropriate icon. Mark the box
that says, “Always use the selected program to open this
kind of file.”
Resources:
Quicken
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