WinZip Self-Extractor is a utility program that creates native Windows self-extracting Zip files. These self-extracting Zip files are ideal for electronic file distribution because they: (1) can contain multiple compressed files, ensuring that important files do not become separated from the rest of the package; (2) allow the receiver to use a familiar Windows interface to decompress files, without owning or knowing how to use a separate unzip utility; and (3) optionally run a "setup" or "installation" program, which may be included by the developer when the files are decompressed.
This following text describes Zip files and self-extracting Zip files, discusses the benefits of self-extracting Zip files, and summarizes WinZip Self-Extractor features. A fully functional evaluation version of WinZip Self-Extractor is available for download.
What is a Self-Extracting Zip File?
A self-extracting Zip file is an executable program file (.EXE file) that includes a Zip file and software to extract or "unzip" the contents of the Zip file. Users can run (execute) a self-extracting Zip file just as they run any other program.
When a self-extracting Zip file created by WinZip Self-Extractor is run, a dialog box is displayed. This dialog box makes it easy for the user to change the "unzip to" directory and change other options before extracting or "unzipping" the files in the self-extracting Zip file.
Self-extracting Zip files created by WinZip Self-Extractor are
100% compatible with the ZIP 2.0 file format, so they can be unzipped by standard unzip utilities such as WinZip and PKUNZIP 2.04g.
As little as 12 kb larger than a regular (not self-extracting) Zip file, depending on options.
What are the advantages to Self-Extracting Zip Files?
Users can extract or "unzip" files from a self-extracting Zip file without running a separate unzip utility or knowing how to use an unzip utility. Thus self-extracting Zip files are particularly suited for distribution of software to beginning users who are not familiar with the concept of Zip files.
Self-extracting Zip files created by WinZip Self-Extractor are native Windows programs so they are easy to use even for users with no MS-DOS experience.
What's New in WinZip Self-Extractor 2.1?
All features available in WinZip Self-Extractor 2.0 continue to be available in WinZip Self-Extractor 2.1. This includes such features as the ability to create both standard and software installation self-extractors, and to create MS-DOS, 16-bit Windows, and 32-bit Windows self-extractors.
Features new in WinZip Self-Extractor 2.1 include the following:
All 32-bit self-extracting Zip files support Microsoft(R) Authenticode(tm) technology. In earlier versions, the self-extracting Zip file's integrity check conflicted with Authenticode. (For information on Authenticode, visit the Microsoft home page, click the "Search" button and search for "authenticode code signing".)
User-specified icons: you can use an icon of your choice for all types of self-extractors except "Compact" and "MS-DOS + Windows". These icons are displayed in the Explorer (in version 2.0, user-specified icons were only used in the dialog box of self-extractors for software installation).
While version 2.0 made it possible to build 32-bit self-extracting Zip files, the program that created these 32-bit files was actually a 16-bit program. A 32-bit version (wzipse32.exe) is now included.
You can now create self-extracting Zip files that unzip automatically. (In version 2.0 the end-user had to specify /auto on the command line while running the self-extracting file to unzip automatically.) Use this new feature with caution: if you are planning to post this file on the Internet or an online service like CompuServe or AOL, you should be aware that some sysops refuse to accept files that unzip without a prompt.
The "Mail Self-Extracting Zip File" button in the final wizard panel makes it easy to send a self-extractor to another user by e-mail (this feature is available only if your system supports MAPI, the standard Mail Application Program Interface).
Password support for all types of self-extractors except "Compact" and "MS-DOS + Windows".
Pricing
WinZip Self-Extractor costs $49 for a license to create an unlimited number of freely distributable royalty-free self-extracting Zip files at a single workstation, subject to the conditions in the License Agreement. Complete ordering information is in the Order Form.
Summary Of Key Features
Easy distribution of one or more compressed files.
Low overhead (as little as 12kb, depending on options).
An optional command is run when the unzip operation completes, making it easy to run a SETUP program included in a self-extracting Zip file.
A Wizard to simplify the process of building self-extracting files.
Any directory information in the Zip file is automatically restored.
All versions can be created with English or German messages.
100% compatible with the ZIP 2.0 standard.
Options to create self-extracting Zip files with 32-bit Win32 headers, 16-bit Windows headers with Windows 95 and Windows 98 long filename support, or MS-DOS support (one EXE works on either MS-DOS or Windows)
