When was the last time you used WinZip? If you're like me, it's probably not once since using Windows XP. That's a pity because WinZip has so many more features than just the few compression capabilities embedded in the XP OS. The just-released WinZip 11.0 includes new features that should appeal to both home and corporate users. My favorites are a powerful wizard that simplifies creating jobs for tasks such as When was the last time you used WinZip? If you’re like me, it’s probably not once since using Windows XP. That’s a pity because WinZip has so many more features than just the few compression capabilities embedded in the XP OS. The just-released WinZip 11.0 includes new features that should appeal to both home and corporate users. My favorites are a powerful wizard that simplifies creating jobs for tasks such as scheduled backups of files and directories in compressed format, and the ability to explore directories of archived files as easily as directories of plain files. Admins will like the option of using variables instead of the actual file name for common directories such as “My Documents,” because jobs so created will work unchanged on multiple machines. You can also filter files by file type, and select from common backup options such as full, incremental, or differential. The just-released WinZip 11.0 includes new features that should appeal to both home and corporate users. My favorites are a powerful wizard that simplifies creating jobs for tasks such as scheduled backups of files and directories in compressed format, and the ability to explore directories of archived files as easily as directories of plain files. Admins will like the option of using variables instead of the actual file name for common directories such as “My Documents,” because jobs so created will work unchanged on multiple machines. You can also filter files by file type, and select from common backup options such as full, incremental, or differential.Moreover, for each job you can specify which compression and encryption method to use and automatically maintain multiple versions of archived files. Backup job targets include the standard disk drives as well as CDs or DVDs, for which the benefits of compression have become more appealing. For example, Winzip shrank a 60MB “My Pictures” folder to a CD archive that was smaller than 20MB.With Winzip 11.0, you browse an archived folder via an Explorer-like view. In fact, you can view thumbnails without have to uncompress each file (as in the screenshot above), which comes in handy when searching for the right image to restore. Another intriguing new feature adds AES 128 and 256 bit support to the simplistic encryption of previous versions of WinZip. AES encryption goes hand-in-hand with WinZip Companion for Outlook; the Outlook add-on is not free, but makes encrypting e-mail attachments, well… a zip. Just select which files to attach, and before sending your message, Companion will automatically compress them. You can also specify automatic encryption, which will trigger a window in Outlook asking for a password and for the algorithm to use. Obviously, the recipient should have similar capabilities to be able to unlock the attachments. WinZip 11.0 also supports two more archive types (.BZ2 and .RAR File), adding to its already long list. In addition, to bypass possible restrictions set on your network, you can create archives with extension different from .zip (don’t say you learned this from me, though!). Another intriguing new feature adds AES 128 and 256 bit support to the simplistic encryption of previous versions of WinZip. AES encryption goes hand-in-hand with WinZip Companion for Outlook; the Outlook add-on is not free, but makes encrypting e-mail attachments, well… a zip. Just select which files to attach, and before sending your message, Companion will automatically compress them. You can also specify automatic encryption, which will trigger a window in Outlook asking for a password and for the algorithm to use. Obviously, the recipient should have similar capabilities to be able to unlock the attachments. WinZip 11.0 also supports two more archive types (.BZ2 and .RAR File), adding to its already long list. In addition, to bypass possible restrictions set on your network, you can create archives with extension different from .zip (don’t say you learned this from me, though!). Something else to remember: WinZip 11.0 is no longer offered as free software. In fact, to access its full capabilities you need to buy at least a basic license. Other features — scheduling, for example –are only offered with the more expensive Pro version; check this chart for more on the differences between the Standard and Pro versions. That may add a few dollars per machine, but getting the extra features seems worth the additional cost. WinZip 11.0 Availability: Now Pricing: Standard license, $20; Pro, $50; Companion for Outlook, $20; Pro-Companion bundle, $60 Verdict: Winzip 11.0 has more intriguing new features than I have space to mention, but it’s worth remembering that it’s no longer offered as free software. The new AES encryption options should guarantee that attachments are safe from prying eyes. Moreover, WinZip 11.0’s reliable (and further improved) compression algorithms can stretch the capacity of your removable media and lessen the attachment burden on your Exchange system. Worth a try. Technology Industry