WinZip - File Compression Utility
WinZip is a file compression utility by Alludo (formerly Corel) that creates and extracts ZIP archives. It is shareware with a 21 day trial, after which you need to buy a license ranging from $34.95 to $89.95 depending on the edition. It runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Compression and encryption
Right click any file or folder, choose Add to Zip, and WinZip compresses it. It reads and writes ZIP, ZIPX, RAR, 7Z, TAR, and other formats. During compression you can set a password with AES 256 bit encryption, which is the same standard used in banking. You can also split large archives into smaller parts for easier transfer (Right click > Add to Archive > set part size).
Cloud and extras
WinZip connects to Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive, so you can compress files and send them to cloud storage in one step. Higher editions include PDF tools for signing and compressing documents, and a batch processing mode that applies the same compression settings to multiple files at once.
Advantages
- AES 256 bit encryption for password protected archives
- Reads most archive formats including RAR and 7Z
- Cloud storage integration
- Self extracting EXE archives for recipients without WinZip
Drawbacks
- 7-Zip does the same core job for free and is open source
- Expensive for what amounts to a compression tool
- The trial period shows persistent nag screens
- Windows 11 now handles ZIP, RAR, and 7Z natively
Who it is for
WinZip still has users in corporate environments where it is already part of the standard software image. For personal use, 7-Zip or PeaZip do everything WinZip does without the license cost. Windows 11 also added native support for RAR and 7Z, so even a third party tool may not be necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WinZip free?
Can WinZip open RAR files?
Is WinZip still worth it?
Features & How-To Guide
| # | Feature | How to use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | File compression and decompression | Right-click › Add to Zip or drag files to WinZip window › Compress. |
| 2 | AES-256 encryption | During compression › Set password › Select AES-256 › Encrypted archive. |
| 3 | Cloud integration 2 | File › Cloud Services › Dropbox/OneDrive/Google Drive › Compress and send directly. |
| 4 | Large file splitting | Right-click › Add to Archive › Set part size › Creates multipart archive. |
| 5 | Archive format conversion | Open RAR/7Z › File › Export as › Select ZIP/ZIPX › Save. |
| 6 | Batch processing 4 | Tools › Batch Operations › Check files/folders › Apply compression settings. |
| 7 | Self-extracting archive creation | Right-click archive › Make Self-Extracting › Share as EXE. |
| 8 | PDF tools | Tools › PDF Tools › Sign digitally or compress PDF files. |
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