Winzip deleting files after encrypted zipping

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Level 1

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Winzip deleting files after encrypted zipping

Hi all,

Hoping someone can help

I am a mac user – Macbook Pro 13 inch 2016 using sierra 10.12.6 and winzip 7.0.4521.

I have opened the winzip application, ticked ‘encrypt when adding to zip’ and pressed the ‘+’ icon to add to zip. I’ve then navigated to the file, a ~20mb PDF that was just floating on my desktop, and added the file to the zip. I’ve then hit ‘save as’ and when the screen popped up where I’d typically type in the file name, I’ve notived that ‘desktop’ has absolutely no files – it seems they’ve all been deleted. I’ve then switched screens to check and there’s nothing at all on my desktop any more. I had Steam on there, around 30 folders, perhaps 20 docs (word, PDF and ZIP) plus a couple of screenshots I was keeping as proof of purchase. I’ve tried searching for the documents via finder but finder can’t locate them either.

I’ve not pressed ‘Save’ yet as I’m hoping you can help me find these documents?

Please also note they’re not in the trash folder – I’ve already checked. I've also done some pretty intense searching of google, and have emailed Winzip support but wouldn't expect a reply from them for another 24 - 48 hours so hope someone here can recommend something.

Thanks in advance,

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Mar 21, 2020 12:50 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Level 9

68,708 points

Mar 22, 2020 9:56 AM in response to ijb89

You should recover those items from your backup. If you don't have a backup, then you really should start regular system backups. Recovering accidentally deleted data from a working SSD is nearly impossible plus an SSD can fail at any time without any warning signs.

If you don't have a backup, could you possibly have a copy in the cloud?

Check the Trash for those files.

If you know the name of a file you can try using Spotlight to search for it in case it was somehow accidentally moved to another folder. You can also search by file type if you don't know the name (or partial name).

In the Finder you can try viewing hidden files by pressing Command + Shift + Period (or Dot " . " ) which will toggle the view of hidden files just in case they've been hidden. Press those keys again to hide the hidden files again.

I haven't used WinZip in many many years and even then it was the Windows version. I do know some utilities will delete the source files when encrypting a file/folder. You should check all of the WinZip settings and preferences to see if there is an option like this.

Do you have any anti-virus or cleaning apps installed? Those apps could have moved or removed your files. If you have those types of apps installed, then uninstall them by following the developer's instructions. Those types of apps are not needed on a Mac and they cause more problems than they solve.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,708 points

Mar 22, 2020 12:54 PM in response to ijb89

You could always try contacting a professional data recovery service such as Drive Savers or Ontrack, but I'm afraid they will have little success recovering your files especially since you are using an SSD (I would like to be proven wrong for your sake). Both vendors do provide free estimates so you may want to contact them to see what they have to say. Both vendors are recommended by Apple and other OEMs. I can personally vouch for Drive Savers as our organization has used them several times many years ago.

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Answer 3

ijb89 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2020 3:28 AM in response to HWTech

Thanks sincerely for your response - I understand this, but as I outline above, the files have disappeared from my desktop also. When I attempt to search my machine via finder, none of the files appear there anymore either.

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Answer 4

ijb89 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2020 12:08 PM in response to HWTech

Stupidly, I don't have a back-up. I had Time Machine set up on my old Macbook Air but didn't bother on my newer machine.. I will not be making that mistake again. I use icloud but not for Desktop and Documents. The files definitely aren't in trash, and although some new files appear when I toggle 'view hidden' as you recommend, they're none of the ones I need (and none at all appear when viewing desktop).

I did think perhaps there was a setting in Winzip, but there doesn't appear to be.. What's also really strange is it's deleted everything on the desktop which is essentially the folder that contained the file I was zipping..

Unless Winzip reply with a fix, I think I've lost it all which is really upsetting as the eulogy I wrote for my grandmother's funeral last year was on there along with some other personal bits and pieces..

Anyway, thanks for your help again.

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Answer 5

ijb89 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 23, 2020 3:10 AM in response to HWTech

I've had a look at Drive Savers now and they look like they're worth contacting. Winzip still haven't got back to me, although they're a Canadian firm and i'm based in the UK so I'd expect there to be a bit of a delay with timezones. Once they get back to me, I'll explore other options.

Thanks again.

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Answer 6

HWTech

Level 9

68,708 points

Mar 21, 2020 7:18 PM in response to ijb89

Only the files WinZip knows how to handle will be displayed in the "Save" dialog window. This is fairly common.

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Winzip deleting files after encrypted zipping

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