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: RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, LZH, CHM, Z, CPIO, RPM, DEB and NSIS. 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. Plugin for FAR Manager.
Version 4.44 beta may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
What's new in this version: Unspecified bug fixes.
More Popular File Compression downloads
- WinRAR (32-bit)
406,784 downloads
- WinRAR (64-bit)
88,138 downloads
- WinZip
70,922 downloads
- Zip Unzip by Click
41,234 downloads
- 7-Zip
27,968 downloads
-
All versions:
4.4 starsout of 983 votes
-
Current version:
4.6 starsout of 84 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"You've Used The Rest, Now Use The Best!"
Version: 7-Zip 4.44 beta
Pros
simple and easy to use. around 98% of it was self-exsplaining. an aboslute must for anyone who needs to arcive any infomation (pictures, documents, music, videos, so on)
Cons
there are some features that will need to be looked up to figure out what they are. it can hog up the system and slow it down, but only wile compressing. other than that not a lot wrong with it.
Summary
bottom-line, this is a super awsome tool that everyone should have on thier computer.
-
"Fast and efficient"
Version: 7-Zip 4.44 beta
Pros
Works with several different formats and has many features: compression rate, speed, ...
-
"Wouldn't be without it."
Version: 7-Zip 4.44 beta
-
"did the job I wanted just fine"
Version: 7-Zip 4.44 beta
-
"The Best Ever you can Get - and its FREE - So Get It"
Version: 7-Zip 4.44 beta
Pros
I've been using 7-Zip for so long, I don't remember. I never wanted to even think about something else, since then. It can handle several different formats and has countless features like compression rate, speed, Access Permission etc...It is super-fast and works like a charm. No hassles. Yes!! it obviously supports zip, rar..too and more..
Cons
N/A
-
"Great!"
Version: 7-Zip 4.44 beta
-
"Dangerous software"
Version: 7-Zip 4.44 beta
Cons
I used 7-zip to compress a directory. It contained crucial workfiles.
Using the 7-zip window I deleted the files after compression.
And guess what?
The files where permanently deleted from my computer.
No warning - No nothing. It took me 2 days to reconstruct.
-
"7-zip done what it was ment to do."
Version: 7-Zip 4.44 beta
Pros
I found that it was very easy to run
-
"excellent"
Version: 7-Zip 4.44 beta
-
"good"
Version: 7-Zip 4.44 beta
Pros
simple
Cons
everytime you enter offers to buy
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
