Windows 7, ribbon interface come to WinZip

[DKT27]

Perhaps the most recognized name in all of archivedom, WinZip 14.5 debuts a new look cribbed from Microsoft Office and several new features, including advanced Windows 7 compatibility and archive management tools.

Inspired by Microsoft Office, WinZip 14.5 sports a ribbon toolbar.

The interface is the most radical change to the program. For years, WinZip flirted with variations on its big-buttoned skin, but adapting the ribbon concept to its tools makes sense for two reasons. First, controversy for the ribbon toolbar aside, it makes the program instantly recognizable to anybody working with Microsoft Office. Secondly, the old WinZip was inadequate for the breadth of tools that the program offered. Most of the advanced features could only be accessed from the menubar so the ribbon should be a bit of a time saver, assuming that you find the ribbon easy to navigate. You can restore the classic interface under Options.

WinZip 14.5's Windows 7 features are another indication that the program, now owned by Corel, won't be trading just on its big name. In addition to jump lists and libraries, WinZip's internal viewer supports multi-touch gestures on touch screens. There's also a "one-click unzip" option, which will unzip an archive and open the file location in Windows Explorer, a ZIP file previewer for checking out the contents of an archive without having to open it in WinZip, a button for encrypting an already-created, unencrypted archive, and the new "Unzip and try" feature. This lets users open an archive, use its files, save changes to them, and then close the archive without leaving a trace in your temp folders.

WinZip 14.5 isn't noticeably faster than WinZip 14, but version 14 was significantly faster than the versions prior to it. Like other high-profile, big-name programs, the makers of WinZip finally seem to take an interest in not just hulking out new features, but improving performance as well. For die-hard WinZip fans, this upgrade is an easy choice to make. Note that the program is now only available as a trial, and that the nag screen to upgrade or use with hamstrung features has been disabled. For many users, though, the price tag of $29.95 is likely to be too high to justify the new features.

Source: CNET

[Night Owl]

Wow, thanks for the update. :)

Grrr, I just installed WinZip 14.0.9029 only three days ago.

[DKT27]

After I got themes for WinRAR, I haven't touched WinZip. But Winzip 14.5's interface has sure challenged WinRAR.

[Night Owl]

Yeah, I normally use WinRAR. But every once in a while I come across a ZIP file where "Open with WinRAR" does not even appear, but "Open with WinZip" works. I don't want to have to extract the ZIP file's contents just to peek inside.

Yes, WinZip 14.5 does look very good.

Does the CNET reviewer mean that WinZip 14.5 licenses are required now instead of WinZip 14.0 licenses when he says:

Note that the program is now only available as a trial, and that the nag screen to upgrade or use with hamstrung features has been disabled. For many users, though, the price tag of $29.95 is likely to be too high to justify the new features.

That is, :pirate: translation ;) ;) : We need to find a new license for WinZip 14.5?

[DKT27]

For Zips, I use 7-Zip. I found that 7-zip compression method is far more better than WinZIP's.

I guess you will need a patch it seems. But haven't tried it soo :dunno: .

It's been 2-3days since it was released and no one has posted it, so it seems no medicine for it atm. :unsure:

[bashar]

i use WinRAR , never mind whatever the theme is

as long as it does the job well

i thought it was MS office 2010 for a moment :fear:

[Bizarre™]

@Night Owl:

The license for 14.0 work with 14.5 ^_^

[Night Owl]

@Bizarre™:

Thank you so much for that. :D I just uninstalled 14.0.9029, installed 14.5.9095 and I was registered automatically without having to type in the license again. :)

Hmmm, my favourite "Properties" action that used to be under the File menu is now under the Tools ribbon. But I was just able to right-click on it and select "Add to Quick Access Toolbar". :)

[oZ.]

ribbon interface do NOT work with Windows XP

[Night Owl]

ribbon interface do NOT work with Windows XP

Yeah, I installed WinZip 14.5 on Windows XP right around the time you wrote this and I saw the same thing too. I couldn't see any option to turn the ribbon interface on. :frusty:

Ah, if you go to the What's New in WinZip14.5? page, they say:

This release delivers an entirely new user experience*

and way, way down at the bottom of the page they finally clarify it with

*For Microsoft Windows 7 and Vista users

[Chironz]

ribbon interface do NOT work with Windows XP .... Yeah!

How Many Programs / Applications will adopt the Ribbon Styles of OFFICE? HEEHE!

[implague]

i never took winrar for its various themes,but 7zip has the gr8 method to compress the files specially big games diretories

[Hottwire]

Looks good thanks for the update, but i personally use winrar for almost anything and 7zip for stuff winrar cannot do. :lol:

[DKT27]

After getting good themes for WinRAR, I started using it. And figured out that for me, it's better than WinZIP. Keep 7-Zip for just an backup option. Never know when a software stops working. :P