WinZip Self-Extractor is a utility that creates self-extracting ZIP files that are ideal for electronic file distribution, because they allow the recipient to use a familiar Windows interface to decompress files without a separate unzip utility. Also, self-extracting ZIP files can optionally run a setup or installation program, provided by the creator, after the files are decompressed. WinZip Self-Extractor is a companion product to WinZip, and is separately licensed.

WinZip Self-Extractor 3.1 supports improved compression technology (PPMd) and advanced encryption (AES with 128- and 256-bit keys.