BETA: WinZip Install/Try/Uninstall add-on for Windows 95 and NT

This is the eighth pre-release beta version of the Install/Try/Uninstall component of WinZip for Windows 95 and Windows NT. This feature, formerly only available in the Windows 3.1 version of WinZip, lets you install, try, and UNINSTALL software distributed in Zip files under Windows 95 and NT 4.0.

Beta 8a adds support for beta 5 and subsequent beta releases of WinZip 6.3. There are no functional changes from beta 7a or from beta 8.

Beta 8 adds support for Windows NT 4.0.

Beta 7a fixed two bugs (beta 7 accidentally included the old beta 6 DLL):

A cosmetic flaw in the "View Configuration Changes" dialog box. In the rare situation where the "windows\nethood" folder does not exist, the text "Network Neighborhood" was displayed in front of new and modified files.
A rare "internal error" while building the display for the "View Configuration Changes" dialog box.

Since this is a beta test version, please do not re-distribute it, or post it on ftp sites or online services. There are no known bugs in this version - if you find problems, please report them by Internet email to beta@winzip.com or post a message in the "WinZip Beta" section in the GO WINZIP area on CompuServe. Please do not post beta feedback in other forums or newsgroups, else they may never be seen by the developer.

Click here to download the WinZip Uninstall Component for Windows 95 (92,672 bytes). Be sure to read the notes below before installing and using this software!

Requirements

This feature requires the 32-bit version of WinZip (version 6.2 or 6.3).

Caution

This is pre-release software; use with caution. Be sure you have a good backup of your system files before running, just in case of problems.

Installation

First install the 32-bit version of WinZip. Then download and run wzun32b8.exe, the Install/Try/Uninstall distribution file. The next time you start WinZip the Install/Try/Uninstall feature will be operational (note that this feature only works on Zip files containing a SETUP or INSTALL program).

Feature Description

WinZip's unique Install/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/Uninstall feature

Press the Install toolbar button or select Install from the Actions menu to extract all files to a temporary directory 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 Start Menu items created by the installation process.
Delete any Directories or files created by the installation process.
Restore your autoexec.bat, config.sys, registration database, 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 directory.

Notes:

The uninstall feature does not notice files or directories 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 directory information. If no file matches these criteria the Install operation is disabled.
If the program you installed adds an uninstall routine to the Control Panel Add/Remove Programs applet, WinZip will offer to run the "Remove Program" feature. It will then give you a chance to uninstall any leftover changes to your system.

For more information please see the online help topics titled

Questions and Answers About Install/Uninstall
Install Dialog Box
Uninstall Dialog Box

Comments are welcome. Please be sure to post them in the "WinZip Beta" section of the GO WINZIP area on CompuServe (S22) or send them by email to beta@winzip.com. It is usually helpful to mention which version of you are using (this is version beta 8a), which operating system you are using, and, if you encounter a problem, the complete text of any error messages.

Please do not post beta feedback in other forums or newsgroups, else they may never be seen by the developer.