How to Make a Self-Extracting Compressed File With WinZip

With a self-extracting file, your archive can be opened on any Windows computer. WinZip doesn't need to be installed.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• WinZip

1. Open WinZip.

2. Create a new archive or open an existing one.

3. From the Action menu, select Make .Exe File. A window appears.

4. Indicate the folder or path where you want the decompressed files to be stored when the user runs the completed .exe file. To accept the default location, leave the text box blank.

5. Indicate the systems that you want the .exe file to run on. If you mark Windows 3.x (16 bit), the .exe file will work on Windows 3.x as well as Windows 95, 98 and NT. However, to use this option, you must ensure that all file names in the archive adhere to the 8.3 rule (that is, eight characters or fewer in the first part of the name, dot, then three in the second part).

6. Indicate whether you want to permit spanning. If your completed archive is to be stored on a diskette, use the spanning option if you'll require more than one diskette. If your file will store on one diskette only, then use the "no spanning" option.

7. Click OK or Save.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're using Windows 98, simply right-click on the file that you want to compress. Select Send to Zip from the menu that appears. Then continue as outlined above.
• The Self Extracting File component is an add-on for registered versions of WinZip. If you're using an evaluation version, it's illegal to distribute archives saved as self-extracting files.