Introduction to WinZip and Zip Files

Using WinZip: Introduction

If you've used WinZip® for a while or if you've looked at any of the overview or Quick Start information, you know that there are a number of basic ways to use WinZip.

• You can use WinZip's Default view. The default view provides a 3 pane layout; Files pane, Zip file pane, and Actions pane for zipping and unzipping with numerous conversion options and direct access to supported cloud service accounts. You can also enter the File Management mode to work with files on your local drives, network drives, and cloud services. File conversion options and sharing can be done with or without zipping your files.
• If you use WinZip with its Default view, you will be using the WinZip Ribbon interface, which provides a simple, interface of organized menus and options.
• If you switch to the WinZip Classic view, you will be using the "flat" or All files in Zip view.
• You can use WinZip's Windows Explorer integration features which include drag and drop features and WinZip's Windows File Explorer integration. These features allow you to perform most of the commonly needed archive operations right from your Desktop or Windows File Explorer; in most cases, you don't need to open WinZip at all.

Which technique you use depends on your preferences and your archiving needs. You may use more than one. A little experimentation should find what's right for you.

Section contents

Using the WinZip Ribbon Interface

Using the Explorer Interface

Using Drag and Drop

WinZip Self Extractor Personal Edition

What are Zip files and archives?

Zip files (.zip and .zipx) have been referred to as compressed folders, packages, containers, and archives. Zip files are the most common type of archive files that also compress data.

Zip files were originally created for use with computers running DOS and then Windows operating systems. Today Zip files are also commonly used on other operating systems, such as the Mac and Unix operating systems. As mentioned above, the files archived in a Zip file are usually, but not always, compressed. This saves space and also makes it easier to send them as email attachments. Zip files are also convenient for grouping data files. Rather than transporting, copying, or sending a number of files; you can zip them and easily work with one Zip file.

Zip files are not the only archive type of file that you may encounter. WinZip can be used to extract the contents of many other archives as well. You may not even notice that you have downloaded another type of archive or that you received one by email. This is because WinZip associates itself with all of the archive file types with which it works and visually represents this association by causing the WinZip icon to display with the file name. In order to avoid confusion with saved files, you may want to configure Windows to show all common file extensions.

Zip files (and other archives) contain information in a highly encoded form. In this form the information is not directly usable by other applications. With WinZip, you can extract the compressed files which will give you exact copies of the original ones in their original format. After extracting the contents of a Zip file, you have the option to delete the Zip file. Doing so will in no way affect the files that you extracted. However, you may also decide to keep the Zip file in an alternate location, such as an external drive, as a backup.

With WinZip you can also create your own Zip files. Zip files are great when used to back up sets of your files (for example, folders with documents, photos, or source code). Keep in mind that creating a Zip file does not delete or change the original files.

If you have any questions about this information, please submit a Technical Support ticket.

Compiled from the official WinZip Knowledge Base (https://kb.winzip.com/)