- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/2003/Vista/NT
- Date added: February 02, 2009
- Total Downloads: 2,432,591
- Downloads last week: 23,205
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 642 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on November 08, 2008
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.
Version 4.65 has bug fixed.
What's new in this version:
Version 4.65 has bug fixed.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 4.4 stars out of 642 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 187 user reviewsSee all 187 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: 7-Zip 4.65
"Small, quick, effective and unobtrusive."
Pros: Takes very little space, few resources. Very fast. Ideal unzipper for downloads.
Cons: Can't think of a thing I don't like.
Summary: Handles ZIP file unzipping as well as WinZIP, every bit as fast and without the cost. Very small executable, takes up hardly any disc space. Also zips/rezips archives.
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Version: 7-Zip 4.65
"Has the essential features of the paid software"
Pros: Support for a wide variety of archive formats, granular controls, 256 bit AES encryption
Cons: Interface is not elegant. Who cares?
You have to opt out of crapware/adware during installation.Summary: It can decompress just about any archive format. It can compress to the most common formats. You can control the compression to be optimal for your system and the requirements of the archive. Add to that the encryption feature and it's all you re... read more >>
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Version: 7-Zip 4.65
Pros: standard. Fast and easy .
Cons: i don't know if its just me but i have to like search for the file that i want unzipped it doesn't just do it.
Summary: Great freeware. Definitely Recommended
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Version: 7-Zip 4.65
"Free and fantastic file compressor"
Pros: It does all I need it to do.. And the best thing is that it is free!!
Cons: There is nothing!
Summary: Very good free file compressor
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Version: 7-Zip 4.65
"great and free file compression software"
Pros: it 's free and it unpacks any archive format.
it works greatly and I've never had any trouble with itCons: well, the interface seems a little like that of a win-98 software... but who cares???? i don't need animations and special effects with a compression file program!
Summary: highly recommended, never had any trouble with it
- See all 187 user reviews Write review
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