Q108228: How Do I Use the WinZip Utility in Windows 2000 or Earlier?
Description

Some of the solutions to installation errors require that you download and unzip a file. If you are using Windows 2000 or earlier, you need the WinZip utility to use zipped files. Windows XP has a standard utility for unzipping files. For more information, see How Do I Unzip a File in Windows XP?

WinZip compresses files to save space. It allows you to compress a single file or compress many files into a single file. This makes downloading files from the Internet faster and allows software distributors to put more files on distribution media, such as a CD. Most zipped files end with the .zip extension.


Procedure
Use the following instructions to download and install WinZip and to unzip a file. To determine if WinZip is already installed on your computer, click Start > Programs and look for WinZip.

Download and Install WinZip

You can use the free evaluation version of WinZip or purchase a full version of WinZip.

  1. The WinZip utility can be downloaded from the WinZip.com download page. Click on either of the download links.
  2. In the File Download dialog, click Save. The Save As dialog opens.
  3. In the Save in field, select Desktop. Click Save.
  4. On your Desktop, double-click winzip.exe to install WinZip.
  5. In the Setup dialog, click Setup.
  6. In the following dialog, choose where you want WinZip to be installed, usually C:\Program Files\WinZip, and click OK. The WinZip Setup Wizard opens.
  7. In the Welcome panel, choose Next.
  8. Click Yes to accept the end user license agreement.
  9. In the WinZip Quick Start panel, click Next.
  10. In the next panel, select Start with the WinZip Wizard.

  11. In the next panel, WinZip will search for zipped files that exist on your computer. Select Search Entire Hard disk or Quick Search and click Next. After the search is started, you can cancel the search by clicking Next and clicking Yes in the Stop Searching dialog.

  12. After the search is complete, click Next.
  13. In the last panel, you can have WinZip delete the installation file by selecting the Delete the installation file check box. You no longer need the installation file. Click Next.

  14. Click Close.

Unzip a Zipped File

  1. Right-click the zipped file, select WinZip, and then select where you want the file to be extracted to. Selecting Extract to folder pathcreates a folder in your current location, for example, the Desktop.

  2. If using the evaluation version, click Use Evaluation Version.
  3. A folder appears with the same name as the .zip file. Double-click the folder to view and use its contents.


Last Modified Date: 10-02-2007ID: Q108228