iZip

iZip is a utility for managing compressed files on Mac and PC systems. It enables creation, extraction, and viewing of content in formats such as ZIP, ZIPX, RAR, TAR, and 7ZIP. The application integrates AES-256 encryption to protect sensitive data and facilitates secure file exchange across different platforms.

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• ZIPX archive creation. iZip uses a step-by-step wizard to generate new files in the ZIPX format. The user can add folders and files via direct drag-and-drop. Additionally, a semicolon-delimited list of excluded file extensions can be defined. This process optimizes content organization and reduces disk space usage.
• AES-256 encryption. The encryption function applies 256-bit AES standard to compressed files. Each time a ZIPX archive is created, optional protection can be activated to prevent unauthorized access. The recipient needs the correct password to unlock and view the data contained in the archive.
• Selective content extraction. The user can open any supported compressed file and extract only the necessary items without decompressing the entire archive. Right-click on the desired content and choose the destination location. This functionality saves time when a single document from a large archive is required.
• Internal file viewing. iZip acts as a viewer for compressed files. It displays the folder structure and list of files without requiring prior extraction. The user examines names, sizes, and modification dates directly from the interface, facilitating the decision of which elements to extract.
• Support for multiple formats. The application supports opening ZIP, ZIPX, 7ZIP, RAR, RARv5, TAR, TAR.GZ, TAR.BZ2, and TAR.XZ files. This variety allows working with archives created by WinZip, WinRAR, 7-Zip, or other tools. Opening is direct and does not require prior conversion.
• Secure exchange between Mac and PC. Files encrypted with AES-256 are fully interoperable between macOS and Windows. A Mac user can send a protected ZIPX to a colleague with a PC, and the recipient opens it without difficulty using iZip. Cross-platform compatibility ensures confidentiality in mixed environments.
• Wizard for new archives. The program includes a creation wizard that guides the user in a few steps. The user selects items to compress, applies encryption if desired, and defines the resulting file name. The wizard reduces errors and accelerates the data packaging task.
• File exclusion by extension. During ZIPX creation, iZip allows listing extensions that should not be included (for example, .tmp, .log, .bak). The list is case-sensitive and uses semicolons as delimiters. This feature automatically filters temporary or backup files.
• Support for large files. The utility handles compressed files that exceed traditional size limits. There is no artificial processing capacity restriction. Users can open and extract contents from multi-gigabyte files without crashes or failures.
• Automatic updates. iZip periodically checks for new versions and installs them without manual intervention. The system notifies the user when an update is available and applies changes when the application restarts. This maintains compatibility with recent formats and corrects potential errors.
• Opening RAR and RARv5 files. The software fully reads both traditional RAR and RARv5 versions. No external library installation is required. The user opens the RAR like any other format, examines its content, and extracts desired files.
• Compression of multiple items. Multiple files and complete folders can be compressed simultaneously into a single ZIPX archive. The subdirectory structure is preserved intact. The result is an organized container that replicates the original hierarchy.

The development history of iZip began in the mid-2010s. The application was created by the team at Macroplant LLC, a company specializing in cross-platform utilities. The initial release targeted macOS, and later extended to Windows. The primary programming language used for the iZip core is Objective-C for the Mac version, combined with C++ for the compression engine. On Windows, C# and native .NET components are employed.

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