Winzip is perhaps the market's most popular software for file compression and decompression.

The need to compress or decompress files is usual when we use a PC. In many cases, we receive compressed files via email or download them directly from the Internet. In other situations, we need to compress several files and folders, so they occupy less space. In all these cases, a tool that facilitates these tasks is useful.

Winzip was launched on the market for the first time in 1991, and in all these years, it has been able to adapt to the new needs of the users and the new versions of the Operating Systems (Windows and Mac).

The main function of the program is file compression and decompression. Still, the program is not limited only to this task but also brings a series of functions that will help comp and decompress files.

When we create a compressed file, we can choose the following options:

• Encrypt the generated file with a password: We can set a password to the created zip file with this option. We can choose the level of encryption; we can choose between 128 AES and 256 AES.
• Resize: if we mark this option, all the images we add to the compressed file will be resized to the size we choose. We just will be scaled those images that are larger than the rescaling size we have chosen.
• Convert to PDF: if we choose this option, the doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, and pptx files will be automatically converted to PDF format. Avoiding this way to use specific software to perform the task of converting these documents to PDF.
• Add watermark: with this option, we can add a watermark automatically to the files added to the archive. The file formats that can be watermarked are pdf, bmp, gif, jpg, png, and tif. The watermark will consist of text we can configure by choosing: the font type, the location within the document, and the transparency. We can also add the date and time of the creation of the compressed file as a watermark.

A very interesting option is the possibility of compressing files and saving them in the cloud or creating a zip file with content from the cloud. That is to say; we can create a .zip file that contains the files located in dropbox. The supported cloud storage services are box, CloudMe, DropBox, Google Drive, SkyDrive, SugarSync, and ZipSend.

Once we have created the compressed file, we can easily share it on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. So we need to configure the social network accounts and the cloud file hosting provider. This way, when we share a file, the program is responsible for uploading it automatically to the cloud and generating the text to post on selected social networks.

There is the option to create backup copies of certain locations of the Operating System. For example, we can select the “My Documents” folder, the Outlook and WinMail e-mails, or the desktop to create a zip file with all desktop files and store it in a safe place.

This software comes with several tools that make it useful:

• Creation of multipart files: this way, we can split a large-size zip file into several smaller parts.
• Create an auto-extract file: it creates a .exe file that the end users can run on their PC. This executable will automatically extract the compressed files in the selected location.
• Create UUEncode File: create a UUEncode text file, which can be pasted into an email and sent to any destination, even to those who do not accept binary e-mail.
• Diagnosis: test the compressed file for errors.
• Performance Analysis: This small tool scans the PC for garbage files and errors in the system registry.
• Add-ons: the program supports plug-ins that allow us to use the Winzip main features directly in Office, Outlook, and SharePoint. These plug-ins are paid.

As we can see, file compression and decompression are simple. We will have many options to automate certain tasks associated with file compression thanks to Winzip. In the beginning, it is possible that we will not make use of all the options of Winzip. Still, as we use it, we will be able to understand all of the functionalities and use them to streamline and improve the compression and decompression process.

Learning how to use the program is simple, thanks to the context-sensitive help that appears when we hover the cursor over any button or menu of the program.

The extensions supported by this program are: .zip. zipx. tar. gz. z. cab. rar. bz2. lzh. 7z. img. iso. xz.

The program is paid and provides a 30 days free trial.