Overview

WinZip is a popular file compression utility for Windows and Mac. It allows users to compress and decompress file archives, create data backups, and securely encrypt data. By compressing files, users can conserve storage space and speed up file transfers over the Internet. WinZip is increasingly being used as a standard way to securely package compressed files for transfer over the Internet by using AES encryption techniques and password protection. WinZip supports a large number of compressed formats, but it is primarily used to create .ZIP and .ZIPX archives.

User Interface

The WinZip user interface is similar to Windows Explorer and provides easy navigation to files and folders. Users can use a drag and drop system to add files to an archive or to view files in an existing archive. Several menu options and quick links are located at the top of the window, which are used to perform common tasks and create settings for zipped archives. Each of the buttons may be reordered or removed within the interface. WinZip also integrates with Windows Explorer by adding “Add to zip...” and "Extract to…" options to the menu that appears when a user right-clicks files.

Capabilities

WinZip supports split, or multi-volume, archives, which split an archive across multiple files, each with a uniform file size. For example, users that want to split a large DVD disk image file onto CD-ROMs may choose the 650MB split archive option. Users can also split videos and other media files into 3MB or 5MB file sizes for e-mail purposes. The resulting files can be merged back into the original file using WinZip.

WinZip also supports AES encryption, which can be used to secure and password-protect sensitive data. The encryption procedures are continuously being enhanced with newer versions. For example, WinZip now automatically wipes, obfuscates, and deletes any temporary extracted files that were created in the process of decryption, preventing unauthorized access to deleted files.

Other advanced features include self-extracting archives, automated backups, and image compression. Self-extracting archives are executable files that do not require a zip utility to open. This is useful for installers as well as Windows environments where a zip utility may not be used. Automatic backups may be used for data redundancy and to prevent data loss. These backups may be automatically sent via FTP to an offsite server. Lastly, personal users may use WinZip to reduce the file size of photographs and other digital images without losing any image quality.

User Community

The WinZip community encompasses all types of users. With Standard, Backup, and Pro editions, WinZip provides a wide set of features that span from personal to professional environments. Personal users typically use WinZip for decompressing downloaded files over the Internet, or for zipping files that are sent over email. In professional environments, WinZip may be used for encrypting important files, creating compressed documents, and archiving data.

Screenshots:

Welcome Tips	Compression Results	Add to Zip file...
Extract to...	Open File Types	Archive Settings
Tools	Mac Edition Welcome	Mac Edition Archive

Features:

• Widely-used file compression utility
• Support for many compressed file formats
• AES encryption and password-protection security
• Integrated into Windows Explorer
• Specialized image compression
• Split archive capabilities
• Zip and email capability
• Automated backups

System Requirements:

Mac OS

• Mac OS X 10.6.x
• Intel 64-bit processor

Windows

• Windows XP, Vista, or 7