There are two major extractions programs that computer users are familiar with: WinZip and WinRAR.  WinZip is perhaps the more popular of the two and was released in the 1990s.  Most users are familiar with WinZip and use it without realizing.  WinZip is a folder and file extraction program that allows you to extract larger data files and folders packed into a smaller file called a zip file.

WinZip was developed by Microsoft and used for Windows. With the evolution of Windows to XP and now Vista, WinZip and other extraction software has become less used due to built-in extraction features in the Windows-based operating systems. WinZip comes in standard and professional bundles and comes with a 45 day trial period. During that time, you have full reign of the software and afterwards you must purchase the full version to continue using it.

WinZip allows you to compress, uncompress and password-protect archives. These are its basic features. Once unlocked, you can do various levels of compression that give you the best smallest possible bundle to store on your system or share with someone else. You can also uncompress another common archive file using the .RAR compression compilation. You can unzip from e-mail files, too. The software will allow you to create archives as well from a single file, multiple files or folders within folders. No matter what you want to compress, WinZip makes it easy to do right from the context menu on your desktop.

Utilizing WinZip, or any other extraction software, may be necessary to uncompress folders and files downloaded from the Internet or shared from someone else.  Depending on the extension type, you may prefer one program over the other.  WinZip, however, is the most common extraction software out there and the one you may have been the most familiar with.  If you are currently using WinZip, you are set with your extraction needs.