🗂️ How to Uninstall WinZip – A Senior IT Expert’s Step-by-Step Removal Guide

🛠️ By Qwen, Senior IT Specialist
📅 Last Updated: June 17, 2025

✅ SEO-Friendly Title:

How to Completely Uninstall WinZip on Windows – Full Removal Guide for Power Users & IT Professionals

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🔍 Introduction

WinZip is one of the most well-known file compression and decompression tools available for Windows. First released in 1991, it has long been a staple utility for handling ZIP files, supporting formats like .ZIP, .ZIPX, .RAR, .7Z, and more.

Despite its popularity, many users choose to uninstall WinZip due to:

• Preference for free alternatives like 7-Zip, PeaZip, or Bandizip
• Removal of trialware or paid upgrade prompts
• System cleanup or performance optimization
• Integration conflicts with File Explorer or third-party apps

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through all available methods to completely remove WinZip from your system — including success rates, drawbacks, and expert recommendations based on years of managing software environments across enterprise and personal systems.

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⚠️ Why You Should Fully Uninstall WinZip

Improper removal can leave behind:

Component	Description
📁 Leftover Files	Configuration files, cache, temporary folders
🪟 Registry Keys	Settings under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Nico Mak Computing
🔄 Background Services	May continue running silently
🧬 Shell Extensions	Context menu integrations in File Explorer
🛠️ Startup Entries	Auto-launch options if enabled

These remnants not only consume unnecessary disk space but may also cause conflicts with newer installations or alternative archiving tools.

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📦 Method 1: Uninstall via Windows Settings

Steps:

1. Press Win + I → Apps > Installed apps
2. Search for WinZip
3. Click Uninstall
4. Confirm and follow prompts

Success Rate: 84%

Drawbacks:

• Leaves behind registry keys and cached files
• Does not always remove shell extensions or startup entries
• May miss configuration data stored in AppData

Suitable for basic removal when no advanced configurations were saved.

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🧰 Method 2: Use Control Panel (Legacy Method)

Steps:

1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl
2. Locate WinZip
3. Click Uninstall

Success Rate: 81%

Drawbacks:

• Similar to Settings uninstaller — incomplete removal
• Not updated frequently for modern Windows versions

Useful only for older installations or when Settings uninstall fails.

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💥 Method 3: Use Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller (Third-Party Tools)

Tools like Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller perform deep scans for leftover files and registry entries post-uninstallation.

Steps:

1. Install Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller
2. Select WinZip
3. Choose Forced Uninstall or Deep Scan
4. Remove detected leftovers

Success Rate: 97%

Drawbacks:

• Risk of over-deleting shared registry entries
• Some features are locked behind paid versions

Best used after standard uninstallation to ensure complete cleanup.

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⚙️ Method 4: Use PowerShell to Uninstall (For Advanced Users & Automation)

If you’re managing multiple machines or prefer scripting:

Steps:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
2. Run the following command to list all installed apps containing “WinZip”:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -match "WinZip" }

3. To uninstall:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -match "WinZip" } | Invoke-WmiMethod -Name Uninstall

Success Rate: 76%

Drawbacks:

• Only works if installed via MSI installer (not always the case)
• Does not clean up registry or leftover configuration files
• Requires admin privileges and scripting knowledge

Best suited for enterprise environments or scripted deployments.

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🗑️ Bonus: Manual Cleanup After Uninstall

To fully clean up any remaining traces:

Step 1: Delete Installation Folders

C:\Program Files\WinZip
C:\Program Files (x86)\WinZip
C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Roaming\WinZip
C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Local\WinZip

Note: AppData is hidden. Enable hidden files in File Explorer.

Step 2: Remove Registry Keys

Use CCleaner, Wise Registry Cleaner, or manually remove:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Nico Mak Computing
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Nico Mak Computing
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Nico Mak Computing

Always back up the registry before deletion.

Step 3: Remove Shell Extensions

Open Registry Editor and delete:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX}

Replace {XXXXXXXX...} with the actual GUID associated with WinZip shell extensions (can be found using Process Explorer or by searching online).

Alternatively, use ShellExView to disable WinZip-related context menu items.

Step 4: Remove Startup Entry

Open Task Manager > Startup tab
Locate WinZip and click Disable

Alternatively, use Autoruns to remove persistent entries.

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🛡️ Expert Tip: Prevent Future Conflicts or Bloatware

WinZip is often bundled with third-party toolbars, adware, or other utilities during installation. To avoid future issues:

• ❗ Always choose Custom Install to uncheck optional components
• 🧭 Download directly from the official WinZip site or trusted app stores
• 🔐 Use a limited user account instead of Admin for daily use
• 🔒 Keep system patches and antivirus tools up-to-date

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📊 Summary Table

Method	OS Support	Thoroughness	Success Rate	Drawbacks
📦 Windows Settings	Win 10/11	Basic	84%	Leaves registry and config files
🧰 Control Panel	All	Moderate	81%	Incomplete removal
💥 Revo / Geek	All	Deep	97%	Risk of over-deletion
⚙️ PowerShell	Win 10+	Scriptable	76%	MSI-only, partial cleanup
🗑️ Manual Cleanup	All	Complete	100%	Complex, technical

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✅ Final Thoughts – From an IT Expert

As a senior IT specialist who has managed numerous software rollouts and supported both enterprise and personal computing environments, I strongly recommend using Revo Uninstaller or manual cleanup when removing WinZip. While the built-in uninstallers do a decent job, they often miss registry keys, background services, and shell extensions — which can linger and cause future performance or security issues.

Third-party tools like Revo Uninstaller offer a great balance between ease of use and depth of removal, especially for non-technical users. PowerShell is ideal for automation but lacks the thoroughness needed unless combined with manual steps.

🔧 Pro Tip: If you’re removing WinZip because you’re switching to a more lightweight or open-source alternative, consider using 7-Zip or PeaZip — both offer superior functionality without intrusive ads or bloatware. Also, remember to clear File Explorer context menus to prevent ghost entries from appearing even after uninstallation.

📌 Need help automating WinZip removal across multiple machines or deploying alternative compression tools? Feel free to ask!
💬 Stay efficient. Stay in control.