FAQs

Please read the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for answers to common questions. FAQs are updated on a regular basis so you can return often, if needed.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact PKWARE® Tech Support by completing the appropriate online form:

Windows® Desktop Technical Support
DOS Technical Support
Vista Readiness FAQs

1.  I forgot the password for my .zip file(s). What do I do?

PKWARE solutions utilize strong encryption so there is nothing that can be done if you lose or forget your password. It is important to remember your password as PKWARE has no special means for “getting around” the encryption and may not be able to assist in the recovery of an encrypted file.

2.    How do I create a .ZIP file with SecureZIP® for Windows®?
There are several ways to create a .ZIP file in SecureZIP®:
  • Use the Create New Archive wizard.
  • Use drag and drop.
  • Use the Add Files dialog of PKZIP.
  • Use the right-click context menu on one or more selected files in Windows Explorer. All of these methods are explained in the SecureZIP help. See the section, Zip and UnZip Files.
 
3.    How do I use SecureZIP for Windows to compress a folder and all subfolders?

The simplest way to compress a folder and all its subfolders is to select the folder in Windows Explorer and drag it into the main SecureZIP window.

Alternatively, you can zip folders and subfolders from the Add Files dialog of SecureZIP. In the Compression Options dialog, first set the options Include subfolders and Save folder name: Relative path. See the help for information on other settings you can make in the Compression Options dialog.
 
4.    How do I extract a file from a .ZIP file?

There are several ways to extract a file from a .ZIP file in SecureZIP:
  • Use the Create New Archive wizard or the Update Existing Archive wizard.
  • Use drag and drop.
  • Use the Add Files dialog of SecureZIP.
  • Use the right-click context menu on one or more selected files in Windows Explorer.
 
5.    How do I add multiple files to an archive at the same time?

You can add multiple files to an archive in all the same ways that you add single files:
  • Use the Create New Archive wizard or the Update Existing Archive wizard.
  • Use drag and drop.
  • Use the Add Files dialog of SecureZIP.
  • Use the right-click context menu on one or more selected files in Windows Explorer.
 
6.    How do I select files in different folders to compress?

There are two ways to have SecureZIP add files from multiple folders in a single operation:
  • In the Add Files dialog, build a list of files selected from different folders. You select files to add to a list in the same way that you select files to add to an archive. But, when you add files from a list, SecureZIP waits until the list is complete and then adds all the files in one operation. See the help topic, Add Files from a List.
  • Turn off Auto-Save and add files with drag and drop.

The Auto-Save feature causes SecureZIP to save an archive automatically anytime you change the archive’s contents by adding or deleting files. When the feature is turned on (as it is by default), you do not need to manually save an archive each time after you change it. If you want to make several changes to an archive — for example, add several different sets of selected files — you can turn off Auto-Save so that SecureZIP runs in what is called delay-save mode. To turn off Auto-Save, right-click an empty area in the middle of the SecureZIP main window and uncheck Auto-Save in the context menu. When Auto-Save is turned off, SecureZIP creates an internal list of any changes you specify, but does not make the changes until you manually save the archive (or turn Auto-Save back on). Until then, SecureZIP highlights names of files that you add, update, or delete in boldface and flags the files with special icons. When you save the archive, all of your changes are made in one operation.
 
7.    Can I span diskettes with SecureZIP for Windows?

Yes. SecureZIP can split an archive into multiple segments that each fit on a floppy disk when you save the archive to a floppy. If Split size is set to Auto-Detect in the Save As dialog, SecureZIP automatically splits an archive that is too large to fit in one piece when (and only when) you save it to a floppy disk drive. See the help topic, Save an Archive in Segments.
 
8.    How does SecureZIP for Windows compare to WinZip®?

WinZip is not a PKWARE product. PKWARE invented and continues to innovate and evolve the standard for ZIP data compression, and, similarly, we invented and set the standard for SecureZIP. For more information on SecureZIP for Windows, please visit PKWARE Products.
 
9.    How can I use SecureZIP to scan my .ZIP files for viruses?

If you have a virus scanning program, and you turn on virus scanning in SecureZIP, SecureZIP automatically launches your virus scanner to scan for viruses in the folders to which you have just extracted files. You can configure and turn on virus scanning from the Virus Scan tab of Security Options.
You can also have PKZIP scan the files in an archive for viruses. (Again, you must first have configured a virus scanner in PKZIP.) To scan an archive for viruses, open the archive in PKZIP and choose Virus Scan from the Actions menu. PKZIP extracts the files to a temporary location, launches your configured virus scanner to scan them, and deletes the temporary files afterward.
 
10.    What is a split archive? How do I create a split archive?

A split archive is a .ZIP file that is broken into smaller segments. A split archive is useful if you plan to place the file onto removable media later or want to send a large archive as an email attachment and your mail system has restrictions on the size of attachments.
You can split an archive when you save it. In the Save As dialog, set the Split size control to the size segment that you want.
 
11.    Whenever I use Microsoft Outlook® to send an attachment, SecureZIP automatically compresses it. How can I turn off or disable that feature?

If you do not want to use SecureZIP to zip attachments in Outlook, click the Zip files toolbar button in the new message window so that the button is not selected. Alternatively, you can single-click the SecureZIP tool tray icon. An “x” will appear on the icon to indicate that SecureZIP Attachments is disabled.
 
12.    I lost my serial number/license key. How can I find out what it is?

Your serial number and license key are the same. When the product asks for your license key, enter the serial number from the confirmation email you received when you purchased the software. You can also find that key in your packing slip (if you received a physical copy) or in the Online Store Help section.

13. What is new in version 12?

  • Save and send secure documents directly from Microsoft Office.
  • Includes digital certificate (with license purchase up to 200 users) that will automatically install with software.
  • Compatible with Windows Vista®.
  • Email body encryption.  SecureZIP v11 enables users to encrypt the content of an email message body, in addition to file attachments. 
    Configurable options for passwords/passphrases:   SecureZIP v11.0 includes many new configurable passphrase controls. 
  • Re-encrypt email attachments when forwarding existing zip files: A Re-encrypt attachments option enables users to automatically change the encryption on existing ZIP archives attached to email messages. 
  • Encrypt Outlook calendar attachments: SecureZIP now encrypts attachments to Outlook meeting requests and appointments, in addition to attachments in email messages.

Please see our SecureZIP for Desktop Product Page for more information on version 11.

14. Which PKWARE Products / Versions will work under Microsoft® Vista®? 

With the recent availability of Windows Vista from Microsoft, questions arise regarding compatibility of PKZIP and SecureZIP with this operating system.  We have fully tested SecureZIP V11 and PKZIP V9 on the Vista OS and both programs are fully compatible and supported.

When installing or using version 9 of PKZIP or SecureZIP on Vista, we do recommend the following:

During installation, you will need to enter a PKWARE product license key, and you may need to log in as administrator to do this if your system prevents you from entering a key as another user.

File associations for ZIP and other file types may need to be set as an administrative user.

You may need to resize the column widths for certificate lists displayed on the password/recipient selection dialog.

Dialogs may not display full graphics capabilities under Windows Aero.
You will be unable to use the diskette format and wiping feature of PKZIP/SecureZIP.

The PKZIP/SecureZIP Server product is not supported on Vista, as Vista is a Desktop operating system. Current support for PKZIP/SecureZIP Server includes Windows Server operating systems through Windows 2008 Server.

15. Does SecureZIP/PKZIP for Windows Desktop support Internet Explorer® 7?

SecureZIP/PKZIP for Windows Desktop integrates with Windows Explorer to provide easy access for various program options. SecureZIP/PKZIP minimum requirements are Internet Explorer 6.0 facilitating Internet Explorer strong encryption capabilities and PKWARE does not anticipate compatibility issues with IE7.

16. Does SecureZIP/PKZIP for Windows Desktop support Office 2007?

PKWARE products are tightly integrated with Microsoft Office to provide compression and encryption of email messages and attachments. PKWARE products are typically able to auto-detect Microsoft Outlook to install the appropriate options.   However, PKZIP/SecureZIP v9 and earlier versions will not correctly detect Office 2007.  Because PKZIP/SecureZIP v9 and earlier versions were released while Office 2007 was still under development, PKWARE does not certify interoperability with pre-release products. 

Office 2007 users may workaround this limitation through PKZIP/SecureZIP v9’s custom setup mode to select the Attachment component at the time of installation.  The custom setup will appropriately install the Outlook integration component of the PKWARE desktop products. 

17. I try to run SecureZIP V11 under Vista, but it says my program is expired.

The program was not installed as the administrator account. Make sure you are installing as the administrator or you are RIGHT clicking on the installation file and choose RUN AS administrator.

18. I installed SecureZIP and I see garbage when I try to run the program.

Below is a screen shot of how the program may look, this is caused by a bad installation or a previous version not being removed properly. To correct this issue, go through Add/Remove programs and remove SecureZIP for Windows. After removing the program, make sure all folders and files are deleted. Then REBOOT the machine and re-install SecureZIP V11.

19. Is SecureZIP affected by Daylight Savings Time?

All file times will remain true to the Operating System; there will be no effect to our product based on DST.

20. I have SecureZIP Attachments installed and licensed, however when I create a new mail message I do not see any PKWARE or SecureZIP buttons. Why?

If you are using Microsoft Word as your email editor, it will remove any third party buttons like PKZIP Attachments. You will need to control the attachments program via the system tool tray.

21. What are the current file size and number limitations in PKZIP and SecureZIP?

Currently PKZIP can support up to 250,000 files in a single archive and our total file size limit to compress is 18 petabytes.