jZip
10/10

If I had to recommend just one program, this would be it!

 You can't miss the big green Download button on their website and this friendly program supports a wide variety of archive formats including zips, rars and 7z files. 

Did I mention that its Free?

Currently it is only available for PC, although their website does state that a Mac version is planned in 2008. 

 

Setting Up jZip
Once you have downloaded jZip, double click on the install file to start the installation process. The setup is really easy, there aren't even lots of options to click through! Simply follow the brief on-screen instructions.

This Windows integration option should be checked by default, but in case it isn't make sure you check the box shown for easy usage:-

The other options are all totally up to you although there's no real need to run the program unless you want to have a look at its features to see what else it does.

Once you click Done it is installed and ready for use

 

Using jZip
Once it is installed you can extract a single zip by RIGHT clicking on it and choosing jZip > Extract here to put the contents of the zip into the same folder as the zip you're opening. So for Sims 2 content you can download zips directly into your Downloads folder and use 'Extract here' to put them in the right place.

If you want to extract the files to a different folder, choose jZip > Extract To... and then browse to locate the folder you want to place the files in. 

As all good zip programs should do, this one supports extracting multiple zips (or rars or 7z files or any other supported archive format). 

To do this simply drag a selection box around the zips you want to open, right click and choose jZip > Extract here to place them all in the folder your zips are in. 

You can alternatively send them to a different folder by choosing jZip > Extract to... and then browse to select the folder you want. 

There are also options to extract them all to individual named folders should that ever seem like a good idea (not generally recommended for Sims custom content!) 

 

Get Support for jZip
For help and support for jZip please go to the jZip Forum:-

http://forum.jzip.com/

If your question is not covered there or you have additional problems using jZip please contact their support service - we cannot provide technical support for jZip as we did not create the program.