is there a free program that alaws you to see the zip files without having to unzip them?

If you open Windows Explorer (right mouse click on "START" button, scroll down to EXPLORE) find your folder containing the .zip files, hold your mouse over the individual file and a box should pop up showing you what each file contains, but only in list form, not pictures.
If this doesn't happen it is because you haven't selected to use that particular Option. SO;;; from Windows Explorer, goto Tools\Folder Options; select View Tab, Under Files and Folders tick the box that says:- "Display file size information in folder tips". Hugs n roses, M

I'm not aware of anything like that. I just learned how to look at some of my files by the thumbnail - but not all of them show like that. So much to learn!

no. Not that I'm aware of.;)