The newest edition of WinZips namesake .Zip file utility gains strong encryption and sheds the 4GB-file-size limit of previous versions.
The beta of WinZip 9.0 doesnt cost anything to try; Version 8.1 sells for $29, the same as competitor PKWares PKZip. The ship date and price for Version 9.0 havent been announced.
During tests of the beta, I was able to zip up files using WinZips familiar file compression wizard. Encrypting files using strong 256-bit AES encryption was simple: I selected the files, typed in a password and hit OK.
Compression rates were practically identical to those I got when using PKZip for Windows Standard Edition Version 6.0.
But this is where the similarity ends. PKZip can be used on a wider variety of platforms than WinZip. In addition, it was much easier to make self-extracting .zip files in PKZip than in WinZip.
For run-of-the-mill use, usually limited to unzipping files, WinZip will likely prove more convenient for desktop users. Those who zip up files and want to use a product with multiplatform capabilities should turn to PKZip.