How to fix WinZip exception code c0000005 (access violation)
This crash is a memory access violation, usually a conflict with graphics drivers, antivirus, or a shell add-in. Removing the conflict resolves it. Jump to your situation below or work through the methods in order.
By Neeraj Singh ~7 min Updated Jun 2026 85% found this helpful
Error message
WinZip has stopped working. Exception Code: c0000005 (STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION).
Summary
The WinZip Exception Code c0000005 crash is a memory access violation (STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION): WinZip tried to read or write memory it was not allowed to, so Windows terminated it. This is rarely a fault in the archive and usually a conflict with another component, commonly outdated graphics drivers, an antivirus or security tool injecting into the process, or a shell extension or add-in clashing with WinZip. The fix is to remove the conflict: update the graphics drivers and antivirus, then perform a clean boot (start Windows with only Microsoft services and no startup programs) to identify the background service or add-in at fault. Disabling conflicting add-ins and reinstalling WinZip clear the remaining cases. Because the trigger is external, isolating and removing it stops the access violation.
What this error means
An access violation means a program touched memory it does not own. c0000005 is Windows stopping WinZip for doing that. The cause is almost always something interfering with the process rather than a problem in the file you are opening.
The usual suspects are graphics drivers, antivirus hooking into WinZip, and shell extensions or add-ins. Updating drivers and security software removes common triggers, and a clean boot isolates which background component is responsible so you can disable it.
Common causes
Outdated or faulty graphics drivers.
Antivirus or a security tool injecting into WinZip.
A conflicting shell extension or add-in.
A corrupt WinZip installation.
A background service clashing with WinZip.
Expert insight
“c0000005 is an access violation, WinZip reaching into memory it should not, and Windows pulling the plug. The file you are opening is rarely the problem, it is something injecting into WinZip. So I update the graphics drivers and the antivirus first, since those are the usual culprits, then I do a clean boot to strip everything back to Microsoft-only and see if the crash stops. If it does, I bring things back one at a time to find the add-in or service that is clashing.”
Manager, Tech Support & Operations · 19+ years fixing Windows and system errors
✓ How to fix it
Method 1
Update graphics drivers and antivirus
1Update the graphics drivers to the latest version, and update or reconfigure your antivirus.
2These are the most common triggers.
3Restart and test WinZip.
Method 2
Clean boot to find the conflict
1Start Windows with only Microsoft services and no startup apps (a clean boot).
2If WinZip stops crashing, re-enable services in groups to find the culprit.
3Disable the offending one.
Method 3
Disable conflicting add-ins and shell extensions
1Disable WinZip add-ins and third-party shell extensions that hook into Explorer.
2A clashing extension can cause the access violation.
3Re-enable them one at a time to confirm.
Method 4
Reinstall WinZip
1If it still crashes, reinstall WinZip to replace a corrupt installation.
2Install as administrator.
3Then test again.
c0000005 is a memory access violation, usually caused by something conflicting with WinZip rather than the archive. Update graphics drivers and antivirus, perform a clean boot to identify the offending background service or add-in, disable conflicting shell extensions, and reinstall WinZip if needed.
Frequently asked questions
What does exception c0000005 mean in WinZip?
It is a memory access violation (STATUS_ACCESS_VIOLATION): WinZip tried to access memory it was not allowed to, so Windows stopped it. It usually points to a conflict with another component, not the archive.
How do I fix it?
Update the graphics drivers and antivirus, perform a clean boot to find the conflicting background service or add-in, disable conflicting shell extensions, and reinstall WinZip if the crash continues.
Is the archive causing the crash?
Rarely. c0000005 is almost always an external conflict, such as drivers, antivirus, or a shell extension injecting into WinZip, rather than a problem with the file you are opening.
What is a clean boot?
Starting Windows with only Microsoft services and no third-party startup programs. It isolates whether a background component is causing the crash, so you can re-enable items in groups to find the culprit.
Could antivirus cause it?
Yes. Antivirus or a security tool that injects into the WinZip process can trigger an access violation. Update or reconfigure it, or test with it briefly paused, then re-enable it.
Will reinstalling WinZip help?
It can, if the installation itself is corrupt. Reinstall WinZip as administrator after ruling out driver, antivirus, and add-in conflicts, then test whether the access violation is gone.
Still not working?
If the crash survives a clean boot and reinstall, capture a crash dump and check which module is named at the fault address, since that points directly at the driver, codec, or extension responsible. You can also submit your error to us for a tailored fix.
