ZipScan is a program that performs a file search which includes looking inside Zip and CAB archive files. I wrote this because I have a fairly large number of documents that are backed-up onto CD within Zip files. Finding a particular file from amongst this collection is difficult as the Windows file finder does not look into Zips and WinZip does not currently include a search option. This program means that I can easily find the file in which I am interested.

There is no need for installation: just run the program from anywhere on your hard drive.

The program is quite easy to use:

1. Use the Browse button to select the directory which is the start of the search. The program can optionally recursively search the sub-directories of this directory.
2. Specify whether you want to search directories, Zip files, CAB files or any combination of these.
3. Specify one or more search patterns. You can specify up to 4 patterns by checking or unchecking the boxes next to the editable fields. These patterns use the standard wildcard characters (* and ?) to search for matching filenames. For example, "*.txt" would find all files that end in .txt; "tr?ck.txt" would find track.txt, trick.txt, tr7ck.txt etc. If you want to find every file, just specify a search pattern of "*". In addition, by selecting the appropriate check box, you can employ two additional wildcard characters, $ and #. $ will match any letter character and # will match any single digit. So, "tr$ck" would match track and trick but not tr7ck. "tr#ck" would match tr7ck but not track, trick or tr567ck. If the check box is not selected, these symbols act as normal characters and must match a $ or # in the filename.
4. Click 'Run' to carry out the search. You will see the results window that will show the files as they are found. You can stop the search before it has finished by hitting 'Abort'.
5. When the search has finished, all the files found will be shown on screen with the name of the directory or archive file in which they exist and their size when uncompressed. The list can be sorted by clicking the column headings. You can also save the list to a text file for future reference. Double clicking on a file will either open the Zip or CAB archive in which that file lives or open the file itself (if it lives in a directory rather than an archive file). To open archive files, you must have installed WinZip or a similar program which should have associated itself with the Zip or CAB file type. Files that live in directories can only be opened if there is a program associated with them (e.g. a file ending .txt will generally open in Notepad).

ZipScan is Freeware and is supplied without warranty. You are welcome to use and distribute it for free provided that all the files are supplied together and unchanged. If you use this software, please e-mail me to tell me what you think of it. Please also report any bugs, mistakes or functionality you would like to see added and I will do my best to oblige. Possible ideas for new features are:

Extracting files from within ZipScan (very useful but lots of programming)

Logging errors to file (eg when a file cannot be opened or is corrupt)

Listing file's original path, or other attributes, in the results window

Ability to search other archive formats (does anyone use anything but Zip and CAB these days?)

Support for NT file paths over 256 characters.

More complex searching based on size, date etc. as in Windows file search

Let me know which features would be most useful to you.

If you like this program, then please include a link to it on your website, recommend it to your friends and/or submit it to freeware and shareware archives.

The latest version of the program will always be available for download from my website.

This document and the ZipScan program are (C)opyright 1999 Adrian Bhagat.

Version History:

As you can see, there have been a number of releases in a short space of time. This is due to the program being improved in response to users' requests. Hopefully, it won't be necessary to release another version for a while. However, the moral of this is that you should ask if you want any improvements in the program and should keep checking the website for new versions. If you want to be kept informed of any changes to ZipScan, mail me and I'll add you to the list.

N.B. WinZip is a trademark of Nico Mak Computing Inc. If you are using WinZip, please make sure you have registered your copy.