CNET Editors' review
It's easy for Windows users to forget that WinZip isn't the only file-compression utility in the world. Like its better-known competitors, the free 7-Zip unpacks a host of archive formats, including ZIP, TAR, GZ, and its own 7z format. Unlike WinZip, though, it can create TAR and GZ archives, which are commonly used on Unix and Linux systems.
The program's ability to shrink files was stunning. In our tests, 7z archives were up to 40 percent smaller then their ZIP equivalents, although compression did take longer, and the highest compression settings can hog system resources. Advanced options include the ability to create solid and self-extracting archives, and to adjust the compression level and password protection. The program also has a command line module. Though the main interface is overly simple and looks like it was designed for Windows 95, it's not hard to use and fairly self-explanatory. The context menu options, which include "testing" an archive, indicate that 7-Zip should be taken seriously.
7-Zip is fine for casual users with a bit of computer savvy, but it's especially well-suited for developers and anyone else who moves between the Windows and Linux/Unix worlds.
Publisher's Description
From 7-Zip Software:
The main features of 7-Zip: High compression ratio in new 7z format with LZMA compression. Supported formats: Packing / unpacking: 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR; Unpacking only: ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, DEB, DMG, HFS, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MSI, NSIS, RAR, RPM, UDF, WIM, XAR and Z. For ZIP and GZIP formats 7-Zip provides compression ratio that is 2-10 % better than ratio provided by PKZip and WinZip. Self-extracting capability for 7z format. Integration with Windows Shell. Powerful File Manager. Powerful command line version.
More Popular File Compression downloads
- WinRAR (32-bit)
306,700 downloads
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70,809 downloads
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48,272 downloads
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25,100 downloads
- Free RAR Extract Frog
14,735 downloads
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All versions:
4.4 starsout of 996 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 103 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Better than Windows Zip utility"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
-Supports zip, gzip, tar and others
-Allows for password protection of Zip files
-Helpful shell extensionsCons
-Appearance is a little intimidating
Summary
I downloaded 7-zip the first time I came across a .tar file I couldn't open in Windows, and I've never looked back! Although there are, I think, more common archive utilities, I like 7-Zip because of the higher compression rates for its .7z format. Although the user interface is a little "old school," which makes it appear inaccessible, once I learned how it worked, I've never had a compression problem 7-Zip couldn't solve. I also appreciate being able to easily encrypt my .zip and .7z files, which I think is impossible (or at least impossible to find) using the zip feature that comes with Windows.
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"Great product, beats WinZip"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Rather simple to use.
Cons
Still a bit too complicated for my needs. I hate Zip files and RAR's of all types.
Summary
Now with all the b/w available I am hoping that zip and RAR files will go away.
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"Excellent free file archiver"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
An awesome program, handling a variety of archive file formats (popular examples include .zip, .rar, .7z, .tar/gz/bz) for a total cost of $0. A bargain, to say the least.
Cons
The icons used are a bit ugly, though muchly improved if you use the freeware (not open source, nor affiliated) 7zip Theme Manager: http://www.7ztm.de/
Summary
What's more to say? It's free, and it covers a wide variety of file formats. It's lightweight, and it's open source. Also apparently upcoming as of current alpha/beta versions is further integration with Windows 7, namely the taskbar progress bar when compressing/decompressing. Certainly a worthy alternative to WinRAR and WinZip, handling more files than those two as well.
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"Does exactly what is says on the tin"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Basically 7-Zip Software is just the same as WinZip just free.
Cons
Bit to complicated for a first time user but help is available
Summary
All around good free stable software - 7.9 out of 10
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"Installation before going to bed"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
It's Free.
Cons
When the installation is complete, restart without the consent of the user.
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"Works great and It is truly free"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Does what it says it will do.
Free.Cons
1) Using the software takes a few extra steps. I am an experienced computer user. I am using Windows 7. I had to click on the icon (picture) on the Start (Windows picture) button to find the software. When it opened, I had to find the file and then click on it. That was the hard part-- finding the file. I clicked the file and it opened. Then I had to save the file where I wanted it because the file would only open in "Downloads" folder.
Summary
Yes this is good software that does what it says it will do and its free. A few steps are required to use the software. I confess, I'm a bit spoiled using Winzip where the software does everything without me having to think about what I'm doing. I just used 7-Zip tonight and Winzip popped up wanting me to pay almost $30. I only used Winzip 2 times during the trial period. I rarely unzip anything. For me 7-Zip was what I needed. For inexperienced computer users, 7-Zip may be a bit complicated because it is very simple to look at. People like real pictures for icons and to be told what to do step by step. Blame it on public education. I will be sad when 7-Zip is no longer free.
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"Great fast compression, easy to use & understand & free"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Managed to compress a large file down to emailable size where others couldn't...and it did it quickly. Did not take an hour, like the .rar files others created that still were too large to email. Incredibly easy to use interface; you just have to look at it for a minute and remember how things worked a few Windows generations ago, lol! Excellent simple tool that does what it says.
Cons
Didn't find any.
Summary
It's free, it's easy, and it's highly efficient. What more do you want?
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"As Good as the Rest"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
I have used several different compression tools and some I have even paid for,this is free and it works just as well as a paid up version of any of the others out there.
Cons
Not so much a con,more like me needing to spend a little longer learning how to use this tool,a bit better.
After I unpacked a file I needed to go and search for it,this was quite easily done and with very little time wasted by doing so.Summary
Something as good as this and for nothing.
This is well worth giving a try out and if you are not happy then grab yourself something that is only a trial offer and then stops being of any use until you part with your hard earned Dollar.
I would say to those of you who read this,give it a go,what do you have to loose.I would recommend this product to everyone. -
"Everything for free!"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Excellent. Has every feature an average user will need found in paid file archivers.
Cons
GUI is pretty basic, but it's unimportant as no one is going to work inside file archivers for hours. It's a utility.
Summary
The best for free.
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"I couldn't get it to work"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
It was free.
Cons
I couldn't get it to work, so I just uninstalled it.
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