- Running Microsoft’s file and folder troubleshooter can help resolve issues with the compression feature in Windows.
- Running the SFC and DISM scans can fix problems caused by corrupt system files.
- Consider using a third-party file compression tool if nothing else works.
Try Basic Fixes
- Try another file or folder: Compressing another file or folder should help confirm if it’s a system-wide issue. If you can compress other files without issues, the original file or folder you are having trouble with may be corrupted.
- Scan for malware: Such issues can also arise if your PC is infected with malware. So, if the SFC and DISM scans do not find any problems, use Windows Defender to scan your system for malware. If the scan detects anything suspicious, take the recommended steps to eliminate the threat.
Fix 1: Modify Folder Optimization Settings
Windows 11 has an Automatic Folder Type Discovery feature, which automatically optimizes your folders based on their contents. If this feature cannot identify the contents of a folder correctly, the “Compress to ZIP file” option may not work. Here’s what to do to fix it.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer and locate the folder you want to compress. Right-click on it and select Properties .
Step 2: Switch to the Customize tab > click the drop-down menu under Optimize this folder for > select General items > hit Apply > OK .
Fix 2: Change Default App for ZIP Files
Another reason you may be unable to compress a file or folder into a ZIP is if the default file association is not set properly. Here’s how to fix that.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app > head to Apps > Default apps .
Step 2: Type .zip in the search box and select the first result.
Step 3: Select File Explorer > click the Set default button to confirm.
Fix 3: Run the File and Folder Troubleshooter
Microsoft offers a useful troubleshooter for fixing various issues with file and folder operations on Windows. You can try running this tool to see if it gets the “Compress to Zip File” option to work on your Windows 11 PC.
Step 1: Download the File and Folder Troubleshooter from Microsoft’s website.
Step 2: Double-click the downloaded file. Then, click Next to run the troubleshooter.
Step 3: Check the box for Renaming or moving files and folders and Others or I don’t know options > hit Next .
Allow the troubleshooter to detect and fix any issues, and try to compress files again.
Fix 4: Run the SFC and DISM Scans
Damaged or corrupted system files on your PC can also disrupt system operations on Windows 11 and cause the “Compress to Zip file” option to stop working. Fortunately, Windows includes useful tools— SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management)—that can help you repair corrupt system files.
Step 1: Right-click on the Start icon > select Terminal (Admin) from the list.
Step 2: Type the following command in the console and press Enter .
SFC /scannow
Step 3: Run the following commands individually and press Enter after each to run the DISM scan.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your PC after this and check if the issue is still there.
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- Update or re-install the biometrics driver using the Device Manager tool on your PC.
- Delete your fingerprint, and register it again in Windows Hello settings.
- Open the Services program, and restart the Windows Biometric Service.
Basic Fixes
- Restart PC: Restart your PC to fix any temporary bugs and glitches.
- Clean your finger and the sensor: The biometrics sensor on your PC will not work if it is dirty, or if your finger isn’t clean.
- Update PC: Update your PC to the latest available version of Windows for a bug-free experience.
- Check for malware: Using Windows Defender , scan for malware that may be causing the problem.
Fix 1: Update or Reinstall the Biometrics (Fingerprint) Driver
The software drivers for the biometrics hardware on your Windows PC may be outdated and are due for an update. The update can fix bugs and problems that you are facing with the Windows Hello fingerprint service. Additionally, if the biometrics driver was installed through a corrupt package, it may cause issues with Windows Hello.
Therefore, updating or reinstalling these drivers will help.
Step 1: Open Device Manager from the start menu.
Step 2: Click to expand Biometric Devices .
Step 3: Right-click on the biometric device and click on Update driver .
Step 4: Choose whether you want to browse the update file locally or, let Windows search the internet for the same.
If you want to re-install the driver, click on Uninstall Device , confirm your action, and restart your PC to automatically install the driver.
Fix 2: Re-Register Your Fingerprints
If the saved fingerprint on your PC is corrupted, removing it and registering your fingerprint once again will help.
Step 1 : Open the Settings app on your PC.
Step 2: Select Accounts in the sidebar and click on Sign-In Options .
Step 3: Click on Fingerprint Recognition .
Step 4: Click on Remove to delete the registered fingerprint.
Step 5: Now, click on Set Up , and register your fingerprints once again.
Fix 3: Start Biometrics Service Automatically
If the Windows Biometric service – a process that is required to activate the fingerprint sensor on your device does not start up every time you boot up your PC, you may encounter problems with Windows Hello.
Step 1: Open the Services application from the Start menu.
Step 2: Scroll down to find, and right-click on Windows Biometric Service .
Step 3: Click on Properties .
Step 4: Open the dropdown menu for Startup type , and click on Automatic . Click on Apply and OK to confirm your changes.
Fix 4: Reset WinBio Database
Your Windows PC stores all the biometrics data in the WinBio database. If any entry is corrupted, it may be responsible for the error message.
Step 1: Open the Services application from the Start menu.
Step 2: Scroll down to find, and right-click on Windows Biometric Service .
Step 3: Click on Stop .
Step 4: Now, navigate to This PC -> Windows (C:) -> Windows -> System32 and open the WindBioDatabase folder.
Step 5: We will have to delete all the files present here.
But we recommend taking a backup . Select all files. Copy and paste them onto a different location.
Step 6: Once you have created a copy of all the files in a different destination – go ahead and delete the files .
Step 7: Now, go back to Windows Services , right-click on Windows Biometric Service , and click on Start .
Once you restart the biometric service, you must register your fingerprint again in the Settings app. Refer to the ‘Fix 2’ section to register your fingerprint.
Fix 5: Edit the Registry
If the biometric login is deactivated via the Registry on your Windows PC, you can enable it by using the registry editor.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor from the Start menu.
Step 2: Select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
Step 3: Click on SOFTWARE .
Step 4: Click on Policies -> Windows -> and right-click on System .
Step 5: Click on New -> DWORD (32-Bit) Value .
Step 6: Right-click on the new entry and click on Rename .
Enter the new name as AllowDomainPINLogon .
Step 7: Double-click on the new entry.
Step 8: Enter 1 in the value data. Click on OK .
Fix 6: Troubleshoot Hardware Devices
Running the hardware troubleshooting service on your Windows PC can fix issues with the fingerprint scanner.
Step 1: Open the Run window on your PC.
Step 2: Enter the following command, and click on OK to open the hardware diagnostics service.
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostics
Step 3: Click on Next , and the troubleshooting will begin. Once it is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to take the relevant actions.
