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.
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All versions:
4.4 starsout of 983 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 90 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Works very well."
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Fast and efficient.
Cons
none so far i have seen
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"It extracted great"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
It was easy to use for my floppy project
Cons
Not sure about the directory/folder or zip features, still learning it.
Summary
I had trouble with CDs and CD Drive, so I PKZIP compressed directories into temp.zip a to z from eMachine Windows 98 to Compaq Vista using Sony Floppy Drive, used another good free program Gsplit to break large files into chunks small enough for floppy, moved to Vista, Gsplit joined, then 7-Zip extracted.
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"Simple no frill tool"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Does what is supposed to do and does it well. Support all compressed file formats that I had come across and does a good job at compression and uncompression, at-least as good as if not better than all other out there. A KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid) interface.
And its free.Cons
Simple UI....that's about it.... however, personally, i believe thats a pro rather than con.
Summary
I have not used any other compression tool since I have download it.
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"So far so good"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Seems to be just as fast as any win zip I've used. Also like the way it gives you locals to zip to with ease.
Cons
Don't see any yet
Summary
Would certainly recommend this product. And you really don't need 15,000 characters to accomplish that.
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"good but...."
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Good it can do that title say...
Cons
UI Look L.O.L<<<ame as death
Summary
UI not good,but all position good
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"Works Perfectly"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Powerful and extremely useful and versatile. recommended for anyone that works with archives everyday mainly power users or developers.It can consistently beat win-zip/winrar in terms of speed and compression.
The Windows Context menu is extremely useful.Cons
Not everyday user friendly. The default options do not always provide the best compresion
Summary
Would definitely recommend
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"RAR unzipper"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Was sent a rar zipped file of pictures from Europe and no longer had a unzipper. Downloaded and installed 7, process was simple. Ran 7 against the rar zip file and it unzipped as advertised. Tried a zipping test to see how that worked and again worked OK. Have not used it for other tasks, but plan to do so.
Cons
User interface was not GUI friendly point and click, appeared to be somewhat old tech and was a bit surprised that the size of my test compressed file was not much smaller than the original. Could be that not being very familar 7 and just used the default settings, other setting may have resulted in a smaller target file.
Summary
Would recommed for someone that needs a free unzipper that appears to work. A BIG PLUS was that is was a CNET download, a company that I trust to not have problematic and risky downloads.
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"Easy and powerful"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
- great context-menu options
- predictable and easy to useCons
- interface looks dated
Summary
Does everything I want. Great for unarchiving lots of archives, especially if you need to choose whether they come out in folders or the root. Doesn't bog you down with lots of confirmation dialogs, just gets to work.
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"Works as it should"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
Works quite well
Cons
None really
Summary
Works very well, does what it says it will
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"good enough"
Version: 7-Zip 9.22 beta
Pros
very good for free....in fact I used it once untill now
Cons
none so far...
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