Working With Files in the WinZip Window

The WinZip® window makes it possible to add to a Zip file, unzip files from a Zip file, view the content of a Zip file and the content of files inside the Zip file, apply zipping options (encrypt and/or resize images) to a Zip file, and to delete files from the Zip file. The WinZip window is made up of the Files pane with a Selection bar, the Zip pane with a Selection bar, the Actions pane and 2 optional bars (the Toolbar and the Zip bar). The Zip pane displays the content of the Zip file using any of 5 different views: icon, list, column, cover flow, and flat. The Files pane, in Expanded mode, can also displays the file system contents using any of the 5 different views. The Files pane allows the user to navigate the file system or supported cloud services to select a Zip file to open or select files to add to a Zip file. The Actions pane presents zipping options (Encrypt, Resize photos, Convert photos to: or Watermark) and zip file actions(1-click unzip, Save as, Email, Share via clipboard, or Share elsewhere).


Zip Pane - Icon View

In Icon view, each file or folder in the Zip file is displayed as an icon with the file or folders name under the icon. When possible, the same icon appears for a file as the icon that would appear for that file in Finder. Note, the Files pane is in Source List mode.

  1. Encryption Overlay: an encryption overlay icon will appear in the lower left corner of a file's icon to indicate that the file is encrypted.
Zip Pane - List View

List view is the default view. The content is displayed as a list of files and folders along with information about each file or folder such as the date the original was modified, the size of the file zipped and unzipped, the kind of file, and whether or not the file is encrypted. The information is organized into columns and by clicking on a columns header can be sorted relative to the information in that column.

  1. Column Headers: each column contains a certain type of information about the file in the corresponding row. The header provides a description of the type of information in that column. Clicking on the header sorts the list according to the information in the column. To toggle between ascending and descending order (a-z, z-a), re-click on the same column header.
  2. Folders: Zip files can contain information about the folders from which the files came. This information is displayed as folders in the list view. The folder is normally displayed as closed. Double clicking on the folder opens the folder to show only that folder's content. Clicking on the disclosure arrow, displays the content of the folder and any subitems (folders and files) it contains.
  3. Files: files in the Zip file can be unzipped, opened, viewed, deleted, and dragged out of the Zip file and dropped. Files can be added to the Zip file and dragged and dropped into the Zip file.
  4. Encryption Overlay: an encryption overlay icon will appear on the left edge of the first column to indicate that the file is encrypted.
Zip Pane - Column View

The column view works like the column view in Finder. Each column displays the content of the selected item in the preceding column.

  1. Column Size Adjustment: the width of a column can be adjusted by dragging the gripper left or right.
Zip Pane - Cover Flow View

This view allows the content of files in the Zip file to be previewed along with displaying information about the files in the Zip file.

  1. Browsing: scrolling left or right with the scroll bar or using the arrow keys displays previews of the previous and next files.
  2. Sizing: drag the scroll bar up or down to change the size of the preview and list panes.
Zip Pane - Flat View

The flat view works like the column view in Finder with a Path column. Each column displays the content of the selected item in the preceding column.

Files pane - Expanded mode

When WinZip starts, the Files pane is in Source List mode, by default. Onces a location (the local hard drive, Documants, Desktop, etc.) is selected, the Files pane switched into Expanded mode. When in Expanded mode, the View bar can be used to change the view of the contents in the Files pane. The View bar and View menu apply to the Files pane or Zip pane based on the current pane with focus.