Almost everyone using Windows computers finds a need to extract compressed ZIP files. For years, I used WinZip, a very popular ZIP file compression/decompression shareware program written by Niko Mak. I registered (paid for) WinZip more than ten years ago. Since then, I have compressed and decompressed thousands of files with WinZip.
Early versions of Windows had no method of handling ZIP files; so, a third-party utility such as WinZip was essential. Microsoft lessened my dependence on WinZip by releasing ZIP file compression and decompression capabilities in Windows ME and later in Windows XP. However, the Microsoft utility has far fewer capabilities than WinZip. Microsoft's version will not create one ZIP file that spans across multiple floppy disks, nor will it create self-extracting ZIP files or self-installing ZIP files to install programs. In addition, the Windows XP ZIP utility can password-protect a ZIP file, but I always felt that WinZip's password protection was easier to use. Even though ZIP capability is built into Windows XP, I have continued to use WinZip because of its more advanced features and ease of use.
WinZip always offered free upgrades to registered users as new versions were released. I have upgraded WinZip many times. You can imagine my surprise this morning when I tried to upgrade to the new version 10 of WinZip. The upgrade process told me that I needed to pay $29.95 in order to obtain the latest version of WinZip.
The culprit is corporate software sales methods versus shareware methods. It seems that the Corel Corporation recently purchased all the rights to WinZip. Corel then abandoned the concept of free upgrades that had been the policy for well over a decade. Corel wants to earn a return on its investment in WinZip.
I won't argue with Corel. I am disappointed, but it is their product now, and the company has every legal right to charge whatever the company's owners please, even if the new prices drive away customers. I know I won't be paying $29.95 every time there is a new release!
This is a minor problem for Windows XP users. I suspect that most Windows XP users will get along fine with Microsoft's built-in ZIP file utility. However, if you would like to have more functionality, or if you are using an older version of Windows, you may be glad to learn that you have alternatives. In fact, most of the alternatives are available free of charge.
While WinZip has always been my favorite ZIP and unzip utility, 7-ZIP is a close second. 7-ZIP for Windows handles ZIP files with ease as well as many other file compression formats. It will create or decompress ZIP, 7z, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR files. In addition, it will also decompress RAR, CAB, ARJ, LZH, CHM, Z, CPIO, RPM and DEB files although it will not create those formats.
The best thing about 7-ZIP is its price tag: free. The biggest drawback (in my opinion) is that it is not quite as easy to use as WinZip. Still, I suspect that most experienced Windows users will have no problems using 7-ZIP.
If you are using an older version of Windows, or if you would like to have more options than that provided by Windows XP's ZIP compression, take a look at 7-ZIP at http://www.7-zip.org.
You can also find many other ZIP and unZIP file compression programs for Windows. Some are free while others cost about $30 or so. Here are a few of the ones I know about:
FreeZip is a small, fast and efficient Zip utility for compression and decompression of files and directories. FreeZip integrates with Windows Explorer and uses file associations and context menus to zip or unzip files and subdirectories. If you know how to use Windows Explorer, then you do not have to learn anything new to use FreeZip. The program is available from many places, including http://www.sofotex.com/FreeZip-download_L594.html.
ZipCentral is a free and easy to use zip file manager with all the utilities you need to manage your zip files. More information can be found at http://zipcentral.iscool.net.
PKZIP is available from PKWare, the company that invented ZIP files. However, it is a commercial program that sells for $29.00. You can download a free trial version at http://www.pkware.com.
WinRAR is a powerful archive manager. It can backup your data and reduce size of email attachments, decompress RAR, ZIP and other files downloaded from Internet and create new archives in RAR and ZIP file format. It is a commercial program that sells for $29.00. You can download a free trial version at http://www.rarlab.com.
The above is an abbreviated list; it only shows the most popular unzip programs. Any search engine can show you even more ZIP file utilities to choose from.
Windows users do have choices. There is no need to be locked into Microsoft's or Corel Corporation's offerings.
It's great knowing that WinZip can span a zip file across floppy disks. Sure, CDs are probably cheaper and hold 350 times more data than a floppy, and USB drives are more convenient and faster, and most PCs don't even come with floppy drives any more, but it's still good to know.
Actually, I've used WinZip for as long as you have. You have to wonder why a company like Corel would think that they can charge $30 for something that is widely available for free. Sort of boggles the mind.
Posted by: Dino (All Dino, All the Time) | May 11, 2006 at 09:28 AM
I've had WinZip forever and had the same experience. But WinZip 9 works just fine so my guess is most people will just stick with it.
Posted by: Cheryl | May 11, 2006 at 01:33 PM
This reminds me of the early DOS days of Zip files. I think I remember that Phil Katz had a freeware archive manager with the ARC extension, and some outfit acquired the rights to the ARC name or algorithm or something (it was a long time ago). Anyway, Katz went to the zip format and it soon left ARC in the dust.
I also have used WinZip from the earliest days of Windows, and always used the free upgrades. I downloaded version 10 and was surprised to find that the old contract had been voided by Corel. As far as I'm concerned, version 9 works fine. It also seems to me that since Corel voided the terms of the purchase agreement, there's no obligation of any purchaser to adhere to it, and one could legitimately make version 9 freely available.
Posted by: Tom Purser | May 11, 2006 at 02:08 PM
I have been using Zip Central for a couple of years and find it to be just as easy to use as WinZip and is totally Freeware. No ads or pop-ups and no spyware. Zip Central has a clean easy to use interface similar to WinZip. You recommended 7-Zip as an alternative to WinZip but I think you should look at Zip Central for its ease of use. While 7-Zip is free software distributed under the GNU LGPL, I feel that Zip Central would be a better choice for the average Windows genealogist to use.
Posted by: Robert Franklin | May 12, 2006 at 07:38 AM
I just did a Google search for WinZip and found several sites where WinZip 10 can be downloaded free. I downloaded a copy with no problems from PCWorld.
Posted by: Charles | May 12, 2006 at 07:51 AM
I have been using the {paid} product ZipMagic for years, and abandoned all others so long ago that I don't even know where to get them 9or care to !). Google it to find it. Great product.
Posted by: Dave Birley | May 12, 2006 at 08:12 AM
Another excellent Freeware program is EnZip 3.00 for which the home page is http://website.lineone.net/~chris_m/. EnZip, is a freeware zip compression utility for MS Windows. Offering immediate benefits to both new and experienced users, EnZip is one of the most complete zip products available. Featuring a modern, stylish interface, designed to compliment the Windows Explorer and making it a snap to just pick-up and go. The ideal product to manage the many zip files you download daily from the internet or to create backups of your important data.
Posted by: Jerry Kliot | May 12, 2006 at 09:14 AM
I use Zipgenius, which I think is superior to WinZip and it is free.
http://www.zipgenius.it
Posted by: Gordon Banks | May 12, 2006 at 12:57 PM
I have a large hard drive and a huge external drive for backups. Why would I want to zip my files?
Posted by: John Carruthers | May 12, 2006 at 10:57 PM
In reply to the latest comment: supposing you want to e-mail a huge graphics program to a friend or associate who is on dial-up. It's called courtesy if nothing else.
And in relpy to all: isn't it time you got a Mac? Cut the MS chord, for Pete's sake. I did and won't ever look back.
Posted by: James W. Brown | May 14, 2006 at 02:19 PM
If anyone has need to transport zipped data to or from non-windows computers
http://www.info-zip.org/ has zip/unzip programs for many different platforms, all free.
Posted by: Lorin Lund | May 28, 2006 at 10:37 AM