Install/Try/Uninstall Feature

NOTE: this help topic documents the WinZip® Install/Try/Uninstall Add-on. A test version of this add-on was available from our web site at one time. Due to low demand for the feature, we are no longer planning to make this add-on officially available.

WinZip's unique Install/Try/Uninstall feature makes it easy to install and uninstall software distributed in archives. This feature can save megabytes of disk space by tracking and removing all traces of an application. WinZip will run the installation program in an archive, give you a chance to try the program, and optionally offer to restore your system to its original state. The uninstall step can selectively remove files, icons, or program groups created by an install program, and can restore any altered INI files. You have complete control over the uninstall process, and no changes are made without approval.

Note: the Install feature is only available if an archive contains an "install" or "setup" program. If the Install button is not displayed, use the CheckOut Feature to try the software in the archive.

To use the Install/Try/Uninstall feature

Press the Install toolbar button or select Install from the Actions menu to extract all files to a temporary folder and run the install program.
Try the program that was installed.
Decide whether to leave the program installed or to uninstall.

If you choose to uninstall, WinZip will display the Uninstall dialog box which will let you select whether to

Delete any Groups and Icons created by the installation process.
Delete any Folders or files created by the installation process.
Restore your autoexec.bat, config.sys, or ini files if they were changed by the installation process.

Restrictions:

All configuration changes made between an install and uninstall are considered to have been made by the install process. For example, if you switch to your word processor and save a document during the installation process, the document is considered to have been created as part of the install process. If you subsequently uninstall, WinZip will list the document you created in the Uninstall dialog box along with files created during the install procedure. Therefore it is strongly suggested that you do not run any programs other than those related to the program you are installing until you have decided whether to uninstall.
The uninstall procedure does not let you restore files that are changed or deleted unless they are one of the special files that are backed up during initialization: autoexec.bat, config.sys, and the .ini files in your Windows folder.

Notes:

The uninstall feature does not notice files or folders created from DOS boxes (after all, this is a Windows program!).

The uninstall feature does not attempt to save information across sessions.

The Install operation requires that the entire product being installed is distributed in one archive.

WinZip determines whether an archive contains an install or setup program by checking for a file that 1) is executable, 2) has "install" or "setup" in the filename, and 3) does not contain folder information. If no file matches these criteria the Install operation is disabled.