Over the years, WinZip has built up a
sizable use-base, enabling it to claim the title of the world’s number once compression
software and it’s now available as version 16.5. While the combination of hard
disks reaching multi-terabyte proportions and faster broadband speeds might
seem to make compression functionality appear redundant, WinZip does have some
features that could appear to users. Available in a choice of Standard or Pro
versions, this review is based on the latter option.
WinZip
16.5 Pro
It is impossible, as happened in my case,
that you could be supplied with WinZip 16. However, it’s a straightforward
matter to update the software with a file download to bring you up to version
16.5. As part of the product’s installation procedure, you can opt to include a
WinZip you can opt to include a WinZip toolbar and a Kaspersky Security Scan
module. Those who are socially minded can agree to WinZip receiving data
regarding your use of the product in order to help future development.
Initially, WinZip will be in evaluation
mode. You can remove this evaluation status by entering a 24-character
activation code while online. In return, you will be supplied with a
registration code that allows you to reinstall the software should the need
arise in the future.
Users of previous versions of this software
will quickly realize that the wizard mode, favoured by many in the past, is no
longer available in this incarnation of the product. Instead you have the
allowing you to quickly switch between Home, Backup, Tools and Settings
options.
You
have the more specialized ZipShare and ZipSend options
Naturally, with WinZip’s pedigree firmly
entrenched in compression techniques, Home concentrates on different types of
zip file and the ability to unzip them. Along with the basic zip features. You
have the more specialized ZipShare and ZipSend options. With ZipShare you can
post files to Facebook using various predefined sizes for the content. ZipSend
is a Cloud-based service enabling you to send files to other that ordinary
email services would find too large to handle.
As compression forms part of backup
solutions, it’s not surprising to find various backup options in WinZip. While
I would not consider it as a full backup solution, WinZip does offer some
useful tools that can target documents, emails, pictures, etc. You can set up
one-off operations or schedule tasks with a choice of destinations including,
if available, a Blu-ray drive.
Various types of zip files can be created
from within the Tools tab. While not as vital as it once was when floppy disks
were in vogue, the ability to break up a zip file into segments is still
available, along with creating a zip file that can unzip itself. The Tools
section also features a system scanner to check for errors on your system.
However, this tool is more of a marketing ploy because, rather than fix the
errors it finds, the tool just advertises another Corel product: WinZip System
Utilities
The level of compression achievable with
WinZip 16.5 will vary depending on the type of content being archived. Running
various tests using word documents, pictures, MP3 tracks and video clips, I
achieved a compression rate that varied between 1% and 72%. In some cases files
were created almost instantaneously, while 33 seconds was required for a 695MB
video file. Support is provided for a ranger of file compression formats
including ZIP, LHA and Zipx when creating and RAR, 7Z, CAB, JAR and IMG when
opening.
Details
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Price
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$64.5
|
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Manufacturer
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Corel
|
|
Website
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www.winzip.com
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Required spec
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Windows XP or later
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Verdict
A quick and reliable tool for creating
industry standard zip files
