WinZip Self-Extractor can create two kinds of self-extracting Zip files:
Standard Self-Extracting Zip Files
Standard self-extracting Zip files are easy to build and are ideal for sharing documents, graphics, and other files with co-workers, family members, and/or associates. They can be used for software installation, but the files in the "unzip to" folder will not be removed when the installation completes. These self-extractors can display a greeting message or an informational message when they are run. When creating a standard self-extractor, you can specify the default Unzip To folder, choose to have the Overwrite files without prompting box checked by default, and/or specify a command to run after files have been unzipped.
Self-Extracting Zip Files for Software Installation
Self-extracting Zip files for Software Installation take some more preparation, but they afterwards will provide a more professional looking installation. You can customize what text and title will display in the self-extracting Zip file's dialog box, include an additional message, and/or add your own information to display if the receiver clicks the About button. When someone runs it, the self-extracting Zip file will use the TEMP or TMP environment variable to create a temporary folder, unzip the files into the folder, run the setup program, wait for it to complete, then delete the temporary folder created in the first step.
Features |
Standard |
Software Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Receiver can change the "Unzip To" folder | Yes | No; a temporary folder is created and later deleted |
| Receiver can disable the specified command to run before clicking Unzip | Yes | No; the specified command is always run after the unzip operation completes |
| Receiver can control whether files are overwritten automatically | Yes | Not applicable; files are unzipped into a newly created temporary folder |
| Optional greeting message is displayed when running the self-extracting Zip file | Yes | Yes |
| German and English versions are available | Yes | Yes |
| Unzipped files are automatically deleted when command completes | No | Yes |
| A custom icon can be used for the self-extractor | Yes | Yes |
| Custom dialog text can be displayed | No | Yes |
To create a Standard self-extractor, select the Standard self-extracting Zip file radio button in the second Wizard panel. When creating a self-extractor using a command line, a Standard self-extractor will be created unless you include the -setup switch.
To create a software installation self-extractor, select the Self-extracting Zip file for Software Installation radio button in the second Wizard panel. If you are creating your self-extractor from a command line you must include the -setup switch.
| Note: WinZip Self-Extractor installs a help file named Online Manual into the WinZip Self-Extractor program group, which is reached from the Start menu. Command line information can be found in the Operation topic of this help file. |
If you have any questions about this information, please submit a Technical Support ticket.
Related Articles:
What is a Self-Extracting Zip File?
Differences: WinZip Self-Extractor and the Personal Edition
Where to download WinZip Self-Extractor
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