The file does not open when you click a link to a .zip file in a case package

If you create a case package for a case that includes a .zip file as a case document, the case package PDF contains a link to that .zip file. However, you click on the link in the case package PDF file, the .zip file does not open.

Symptoms

If you click a link to a .zip file in a case package, the file does not open. This problem occurs only for linked case documents that are .zip files. The problem does not occur for linked text, Microsoft Word, or Microsoft Excel documents.

Causes

This problem occurs because of how the Adobe Acrobat Reader handles embedded zipped attachments as documented in the Adobe help page titled Links and attachments in PDFs (https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/links-attachments-pdfs.html).

The following note under Add an attachment explains the problem: If you attach EXE, VBS, or ZIP file formats, Acrobat warns you that it won’t open the file once attached because the format is associated with malicious programs, macros, and viruses that can damage your computer.

Resolving the problem

To open a .zip file in a case package:
  • Open the zip file directly. The zip file is included as part of the Case Package and can be opened directly.
  • Use Google Chrome browser to open the PDF. The Chrome browser opens the .zip file when you click the link.