WinArchiver Lite
WinArchiver Lite is a free Mac utility for creating ZIP archives that are fully compatible with Windows systems. It automatically excludes Mac-specific files (like .DS_Store and AppleDouble metadata) from archives, making it ideal for Mac users who frequently share compressed files with Windows users or need Windows-compatible archives. The app was recommended as a 'Staff Pick' on Apple's Downloads section and remains available on the Mac App Store. It's a lightweight alternative to the paid WinZipper app from the same developer, Tida Inc.
Suggested Replacements
1 suggestionBased on available information, WinArchiver Lite (version 2.5.3) appears to be an Intel-only application with no confirmed native Apple Silicon version released. The app shows signs of minimal recent maintenance — the developer (Tida Inc.) has released a paid successor called WinZipper, but there is no clear indication of active development on the Lite version for Apple Silicon support. Since macOS's built-in Archive Utility and third-party alternatives like Keka and The Unarchiver now offer robust cross-platform compression with native Apple Silicon support, we recommend migrating to one of these alternatives. **For Windows-compatible ZIP creation specifically**, Keka is an excellent native alternative that creates standard ZIP files compatible with Windows while supporting Apple Silicon natively. If you prefer the simplicity of the original app, monitor the Mac App Store listing for updates, but be prepared to switch tools within the next few macOS versions as Rosetta 2 support is phased out.
Native version · Reported by in the community.
Sighting data is community-sourced — version availability and pricing should be verified with the developer.
Suggested Replacements
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