A first look at what's next

ZipGenius X.
Let's try the Alpha.

A new chapter for your archives is taking shape. Get an early look at ZipGenius X: this Alpha is for exploring, testing and finding out what still needs work.

1. Install the certificate2. Get the files ↓

Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later · Universal setup for ARM64, x64 and x86 · .NET and Windows App SDK runtimes included.

Certificate first. Setup second.

The certificate is needed for the signed context menu. Setup does not import it for you. You'll need administrator permission for this step.

The final version of ZipGenius X will be distributed through the Microsoft Store, so you won’t have to worry about these steps anymore.

  1. Download both files below. Before opening them, compare their SHA-256 hashes and check the certificate fingerprint with the developer through your agreed channel. The certificate subject must be “CN=ZipGenius X Alpha”.
  2. Double-click ZipGenius-X-Alpha.cer, then choose “Install Certificate…”.
  3. Select “Local Machine”, then “Next”. Approve the Windows prompt using an administrator account.
  4. Choose “Place all certificates in the following store” → “Browse…” → “Trusted People” → “OK”. Do not choose “Trusted Root Certification Authorities” or “Trusted Publishers”.
  5. Click “Next”, then “Finish” and wait for the successful import message. Close the certificate window.
  6. Now launch the setup EXE using your usual Windows account. Do not use “Run as different user”. Follow the setup instructions; if the context menu does not appear, restart Explorer or sign out and back in.

A quick check before you start

Certificate: CN=ZipGenius X Alpha · Expires on 28 October 2027 at 18:48:52 UTC.

Certificate SHA-256 fingerprint:

0D34D0626F258228AB6A4417034FC15A2D966185C8173C2463E30039DC491BEC

Hashes on this page help check file integrity. To verify authenticity, compare the fingerprint with the developer through a separate, trusted channel.

Your two downloads

Grab both files. Install the certificate before running setup.

Version 10.0.0.2 Alpha
File / downloadSizeSHA-256
ZipGenius-X-10.0.0.2-alpha-universal-setup.exeUniversal Windows installer · ARM64 / x64 / x86Downloads: —483.40 MiB506880920 bytes889DF1A120FFB3F2D1BEBD3F5D50219A7F5D220E04B960935E164A804B4C37B6
ZipGenius-X-Alpha.cerPublic test certificate · Install this firstDownloads: —1.03 KiB1050 bytes0D34D0626F258228AB6A4417034FC15A2D966185C8173C2463E30039DC491BEC

The counters show download requests through this page, not completed downloads or unique people.

How do I check a download's hash?

Open PowerShell in your download folder and run these commands. Compare each Hash value with the table above. If even one character differs, do not use that file.

Get-FileHash -LiteralPath '.\ZipGenius-X-10.0.0.2-alpha-universal-setup.exe' -Algorithm SHA256
Get-FileHash -LiteralPath '.\ZipGenius-X-Alpha.cer' -Algorithm SHA256

A couple of things to know

SQX is not supported on ARM64: you cannot open, extract, create or modify SQX archives. The x64 and x86 versions retain SQX support. Obfuscation/deobfuscation, archive comparison, pattern backgrounds and administrative policies are not available in this Alpha.

The app installs in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\ZipGenius X Alpha. Alpha settings are separate from the regular version, and default file associations stay as they are. The modern context menu is intended for Windows 11.

Done testing?

Uninstall ZipGenius X Alpha from Windows Settings. Your Alpha preferences and user data are kept. Then open certlm.msc as administrator, go to “Trusted People” → “Certificates” and remove only the ZipGenius X Alpha certificate matching the fingerprint in CERTIFICATE.txt.