WinZip 8.0 Beta Testing Begins

WinZip 8.0 Beta was released earlier today for the public to download. Packed with many new features including a more Windows-like user interface, the newest version of WinZip brings all the features of a zipping and unzipping utility to your PC, whether you are a beginner or an experienced user.

Version 8.0 boasts features such as an Explorer style viewing area to examine your zipped files and archives; as well as a new Zip and E-mail feature that will attach files to your messages automatically using a new Wizard. It can also unzip and run MIME files that are used in e-mail.

Other improvements include the addition of a new screen saver and theme installer feature to handle the complicated task of getting desktop theme and screen saver files in the correct location.

Changes were also made to the WinZip Self-Extractor. The Personal Edition no longer supports the creation of 16-bit Self Extracting programs, and now exclusively supports 32-bit extractors.

WinZip 8.0 Beta shows tool-tips when you hover over an archive, which tell the number of files in the archive, as well as the attached comment if available. Many other features were added to make the user interface more similar to Windows styled buttons and menus, and an "Include Sub-Folders" option was added that preserves the correct file path within the archive. Version 8.0 also allows users to zip all files of a certain type with one action, using a command such as *.DOC in the 'Add Files' dialog box.

Many options were added to the preferences section of the program as well. Users now have more control over the automatic processes that occur both during the unzipping and zipping task, as well as after the task is completed.

The addition of 'What’s This?' buttons to all dialog boxes has enhanced the help within the program itself, and the online help was also improved.

The WinZip team posted a screenshot, which highlights many of the features that have been added to the new beta. You can also become a registered beta tester by visiting the beta download page and clicking the "Download Beta" button near the bottom of the page, although you do not have to register to download the software. Once you become a tester, you can submit bug reports via their Bug Submission Page, or by sending e-mail to [email protected].

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