Are you using it on an Apple computer? If using 'Windows' I am unsure how it would work. THere should not need an extractor. With the 'Convert It' software you can read what is in a zip file without opening it. Hope that helps or maybe it just more confusing.. link below may help also

I don't think that SewIconiz requires any particular zip file extractor. Many just use the Windows Extra file function for unzipping design files and SewIconize should see the files of the designs with no problem.

Email your question regarding the file extractor using the Sands Computing link below they are the developers of the program and there should be a contact link on their webpage.

You should be able to see the files in a Zipped file in Windows Explorer with the SewIconiz program.
If there are folders with in the Zipped file you would have to extract the files from the folders in order to see them in Windows Explorer.

This is what I was refering to about the zip extractor this is copied from Sandscomputing site
The Zip viewer feature of SewIconz will not work with some third-party zip software (such as WinZip©, WinRar© or PKZip©). Presently, only StuffIt© and jZip™ free compression software (see link below) work with SewIconz (in addition to Windows Explorer, of course) to correctly display the embroidery file icons inside of zip files.

OK I'm not too techy. I have Embrilliance. When I download zip files, I unzip with WinRAR. Then I drop the files into a folder to view. The picture/icons don't show unless they are in a folder.

I am having the same issue..looking for a different icon software. I do not want to have to change all the zip files to make this program work..

There is a Manual that you can download for the Thumbnailer Program that tells how to view your design files. It talks about viewing Zip files.

Check the Links below to get the Manual.
First Link to the page where you can find the Manual download.
The second link is the open Manual PDF.
EastWitch2

Here is the Forum Link for the Embrilliance programs.
You can ask questions about the programs here.
I don't think you have to purchase the programs to join the forum.
Just join and ask your quesrtions.
Link below.

I wrote Steve from Snads computing and ask for a better explaination of the SewIconz program in regards to the Third Party Zip Exactor programs such as WinZip etc.
Here is Steve's reply.
"The reference to the 3rd party extractor only means that you can not see the icons when you open the zip using the 3rd party software, like WinZip. You CAN see icons if you use the native Windows Explorer viewer to see the contents of zip files (as long as the zipped files are not inside folders in the zip archive, in which case even the Explorer viewer won't display the icons!)

To answer your question, yes, you can still use 3rd party software to EXTRACT zip files to folders, and certainly THOSE (extracted) files will show up as icons in Windows Explorer using SewIconz.

If you have any other questions regarding SewIconz and 3rd-party zip utilities, please let me know. Feel free to post this reply on your other group(s).

Steve
support@sandscomputing.com

Hope this helps you understand the SewIconz program better!
EastWitch2

ttt