[RESOLVED] recommend a better WinZip replacement?

[MPTech]

I've used Winzip for years and been perfectly content.
In the beginning of this year, I built myself a new PC and installed all of the SW from scratch, including the latest version of WinZip.
I don't do anything fancy with it and really don't want to buy any SW at this time, but Winzip has really gotten annoying (and SLOW) with the NAG messages.
I also think that sometimes there are too many options and screens to navigate, just to unzip, or even zip a simple file.

can anyone recommend a better (and still free) zip utility?

Thanks! MPTech

[Steve R Jones]

The one built into XP works well...

This one does a better job at compressing but takes longer:
http://www.7-zip.org/

[SuperSparks]

I use the built in XP one and WinRar because RAR files are quite common nowadays. I've never found the need for anything else, though I've heard plenty of good things about the one that Steve recommended.

[HAN]

Steve's recommendations are mine too.

[MPTech]

Doh...........
I've been using WinZip so long, I always loaded it with every OS installation, I didn't know XP had one built in.

I unistalled WinZip and the XP default kicked in. nice.

thanks!

[Ridgerunr]

I've been using ZipCentral 4.01 for several years and it works very well. It's completely free and has no nags whatsoever...

[2harts4ever]

Hi everyone,

This post caught my eye. I switched to XP about a year back when my trusty Win95a finally bit the dust.

Since getting XP (Home), SP#2, I have been using a Zip program called 'Power Archiver 2001'.

I never knew XP had its own Zip program. Can anyone direct me on how to find it?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever

[HAN]

A nice tutorial on XP's .zip routine...
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial105.html

[104456]

Another vote for 7-Zip and WinRar from me too.The latter one had a freeware version released last month too.

[2harts4ever]

Morning Han,

Thanks for the tutorial on XP's .zip routine.

When I right-click on a zipped file I don't see the 'Extract All' option the tutorial shows.

I just got rid of a Zip program I had used called 'Power Archiver'. Could that have something to do with it?

On the other hand the 'How to Zip' segment of the Tutorial goes exactly as scripted.

The sequence of events for 'extracting' a zipped file is what has me stumped!

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever

[Steve R Jones]

Yes. The program you installed overwrote XP's compression ability. You would have to uninstall 'Power Archiver' to get it back or you can leave it as is..

[ProfessorU]

WinRar is nice when you have problems with a corrupted file, etc. Otherwise XP is very intuitive. "search" even works through compressed files now.

[HAN]

2harts4ever: There are a couple of things you can try to repair the XP / ZIP association.

Since this one is the easiest, I'd try this first. http://windowsxp.mvps.org/zipfldr.htm This makes XP realize it should again be the ZIP default handler.

If things are messed up a bit more than the above will fix, consider trying
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm (Go down to the last listing at the bottom called ZIP Folder Association Fix.) When the data is saved as a file called zipfolder_fix.reg (saving the file as a .reg file is critical) and doubled clicked, it will insert itself into your XP registry. The purpose of this file is to restore all of the native XP / ZIP associations in the registry.

As Steve notes, if neither of these methods work, then you will probably have to go back to a 3rd party ZIP program.

[2harts4ever]

Hi HAN, Steve and all,

Your first recommended fix did the trick:

Since this one is the easiest, I'd try this first. http://windowsxp.mvps.org/zipfldr.htm This makes XP realize it should again be the ZIP default handler.

Thanks for pulling my aging 'buns' out of the fire once again.

Right now it seems everything is back to normal again (XP having taken over the 'zip' duties).

Could I ask you to answer one more question?

Am I correct in assuming that when I extract the contents of a zipped folder to a folder of my choosing that the contents of the original zipped folder stay intact and its contents are only COPIED to the folder I choose to extract them too?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever

[HAN]

Am I correct in assuming that when I extract the contents of a zipped folder to a folder of my choosing that the contents of the original zipped folder stay intact and its contents are only COPIED to the folder I choose to extract them too?

Yes, you end up with both the zipped container and the new folder.