Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I am trying to compress a file and it doesn't get as small as I had hoped. Am I doing something wrong?
A: Probably you are doing everything right, the problem is that some files compress better than others. StuffIt does what is called lossless compression. That means that when a file is compressed and then expanded it is identical (bit for bit) to the original file. No data is lost.
You may get some further compression on certain "lossy" compressed files (such as .gif or JPEG images). To attempt this, be sure to set your StuffIt preferences so that the Compression level is set to Better Compression and also uncheck the box that says "Do not compress files that are already compressed"
Uncompressed multimedia formats such as .wav (audio) and many high resolution graphics such as .psd (native PhotoShop picture), .eps (postscript graphics), and uncompressed tiff files will compress quite well. In fact, if you are starting out with a high resolution graphic you may get a smaller file by stuffing than by converting to jpeg or gif.
Be sure to set your StuffIt preferences so that the Compression level is set to Maximum or Best Compression and also uncheck the box that says "Do not compress files that are already compressed".
Q: I have a password encrypted file for which I have forgotten the password. What can be done?
A: There is nothing that we can do in this case: the contents of your file has been encrypted based on the password you provided, it cannot be decrypted without this password. There is no "backdoor", and we are not aware of any weakness that would allow you to break the encryption, short of trying all possible passwords. We apologize if this has caused you to loose an important file, but encryption would be a worthless feature if it could easily by removed.
Q: Who can expand StuffIt X (.sitx) archives?
A: Both Mac and Windows users can, provided they have a copy of our Free Expansion Tool, StuffIt Expander.
Mac users must have OS 8.6 or higher and have StuffIt Expander 7.0 or higher.
Windows users must have a Windows OS that is Windows 98 SE or later and StuffIt Expander 8.0 or higher.
The most current version of StuffIt Expander can be downloaded from: StuffIt.com
Q: If I make a file self extracting, will it open on someone's computer who does not have StuffIt?
A: This question has a few answers:
a) You must make the self extracting file for the platform (Mac or Win) you intend it to extract on. For Mac make an ".sea" and for Win make an ".exe".
b) The ".sea" (Mac file) must not be posted for download. As with any Macintosh application, it will lose its ability to run, as it travels through many non-Mac machines on the Internet. An ".sea" file may however be sent to another Mac user via any modern day email client (such as Eudora, Outlook Express, or the Mac OSX mail client). It may also be copied from one Mac to another. It will self-extract on the Classic Mac OS. If sent to an OS X user or a Windows user, the recipient will need to use the free StuffIt Expander to expand the ".sea" file .
c) The special ".exe" (Windows file) will extract the original file on a Windows based computer with a simple double-click. If sent to a Mac user the ".exe" will require StuffIt Expander for Mac which comes with the Mac OS.
Those users that cannot expand .sitx files for whatever reason should be sent StuffIt (.sit) archives which can be opened by StuffIt Expander 5.0 and later. We recommend StuffIt Expander 5.5 or higher for these archives. StuffIt Expander 5.5, and many other legacy versions of Aladdin software, can be found in our software library. Once there click on the file called: stuffit_expander_55.hqx and the download will begin.
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