From Leo's mailbag:
> From: A Computer User
> Sent: June 21, 2008
> To: Ask Leo!
> Subject: do Microsoft free downloads require a non-free utility to open?
>
> Leo,
> I downloaded Process Explorer several months ago. However, I decided to
> use it again this morning, and found I needed to open the original
> download again. Turns out one must have WinZip to extract the files
> (maybe this was true when I initially downloaded the program, but that
> does not ease my complaint). While I have no heartburn with WinZip as
> an app, this means that to run one of MS's "free" utilities, one has to
> invest $29+ in WinZip (at least after the 45 days trial). Is this the
> wave of the future; i.e., we'll need to buy one app in order to use
> another, albeit free? Bah humbug!
Not at all. :-)
The default configuration for Windows XP and Vista (and maybe earlier
versions, can't recall) supports ZIP files natively in Windows Explorer.
Just double click on the zip and you should be able to copy out whatever
you need. No additional download, and no additional cost.
Now, many of us turn OFF the ZIP file format support in Windows Explorer
because we find it ... annoying. I, for example, prefer to have Windows
treat ZIP files like *files*, and let me determine how their contents should
be accessed. So, I use 7zip:
http://ask-leo.com/recommendation_7zip_file_archiving_utility.html
- free
- open source
- handles ZIP files
- and a lot more
Enjoy,
--
Thanks for asking,
Leo Notenboom
Article 1754
| Category:
Windows
