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It's easy for Windows users to forget that WinZip isn't the only file-compression utility in the world, nor is WinRAR its only replacement. 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 the competition, though, it can create TAR and GZ archives, which are commonly used on Unix and Linux systems. Even though it's small, there's an even smaller portable version, too.
The program's ability to shrink files was stunning. 7Z archives tested 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 just about as self-explanatory as a program can get. The context menu options, which include "testing" an archive, indicate that 7-Zip should be taken seriously.
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Every computer user needs a solid file compression program. Not only are they mandatory for opening downloaded software, they offer several other useful features for tasks like creating e-mail attachments, performing backups, and saving space on your hard drive. Most people use WinZip because it comes pre-installed on a lot of Windows PCs, but WinZip isn't the only program available for file compression.
There's certainly nothing wrong with WinZip, but some programs offer better file compression or features that may be more in tune with what you need. For instance, some apps make efficient compression their focus, while others concentrate on the strongest encryption to keep your files safe. If you're looking for an alternative to WinZip, here are some programs I recommend.
Big buttons and an intuitive interface make this popular utility easy to navigate.
(Credit: CNET Networks)WinRAR is a popular choice for file compression for good reason: It's a great program. This shareware app ($29) using the RAR format (with support for several others) boasts the ability to compress your archives at rates 8 percent to 15 percent better than regular ZIP files. As an old standby in the file compression category, WinRAR offers a polished interface and easy-to-understand wizards that help you create manageable e-mail attachments, quick document backups, and encrypted archives. It's the only shareware program in this group of apps, but it is well worth the price. You'll be able to access most features without registration.
Though not as pretty, 7-Zip has plenty of power under the hood.
(Credit: CNET Networks)7-Zip is a free alternative that is not as pretty as WinRAR or WinZip, but like WinRAR, offers its own highly efficient 7z compression method (they claim compression rates 2 percent to 8 percent better than regular ZIP files, but in our tests it was much better) so your backup archives take up less space. You'll be able to create self-extracting archives as well as provide password protection for added security. 7-Zip doesn't offer the polish and ease of use found in the paid apps, but it easily makes up for it with functionality.
This quick to compress alternative works as great as it looks.
(Credit: CNET Networks)PeaZip is a newer discovery for me, but I definitely like what I see so far. This open-source (free) compression program supports a huge list of formats and is incredibly easy to use with a well-designed and skinnable interface. A solid file browser with search and history features makes finding your archives easy, and PeaZip can handle multiple archives simultaneously. Complete with a number of different solid encryption methods, PeaZip is a great choice for anyone looking for a flexible WinZip alternative.
More than just the key to opening downloads, file compression utilities have a lot of uses. Choose one of these alternatives if you want something other than what's preloaded on your hard drive. As always, let me know if you use something better so I can check it out!
True to form, Launchy opens with a quick hot key combo.
(Credit: CNET Networks)Last week I shouted out seven CNET Download.com staff favorites for small, straightforward software for Windows, Mac, and mobile that perform a single task simply and well. Here are five more fresh picks, suggested by you.... Read more
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After a tip came through the wire that Phillipe the Phisher was vacationing in Paris, Power Downloader asked his friend Francois Foto if he might be able to snap some undercover pictures of the information pilfering villain. A week later, Power received an e-mail from Foto saying that he got the shots Power requested, but that he wondered how he could safely send the images without them being stolen in transit. Also, the image files take up a lot of space, so regular e-mail attachments would be too big for some e-mail clients to handle.
Understanding the need for both speed and security, Power Downloader instructed Foto to download the open-source file compression utility called 7-Zip. With this program, Foto could compress his optimized images in the 7z format for an up to 40 percent smaller sized file than is possible with most common compression formats. As an added precaution, Power instructed Francois Foto to use the software to encrypt the file with a top-secret pass phrase, using 7-Zip's AES-256 encryption method. Using a mix of letters and numbers in the phrase, Power Downloader wanted to make absolutely sure that if secret spies captured the file full of images in transit, they would be left with nothing but a useless and virtually impregnable file.
Soon afterward, the compressed file arrived via e-mail. Using the pass phrase, Power Downloader extracted the images to his hard drive. With the images opened in a viewer, Power quickly surmised the pictures were definitely of Phillipe the Phisher. Though the images alone would not be enough to arrest the villain, Power hoped authorities might be able to use Francois Foto's recent photos to identify Phillipe more quickly. When he finished, Power Downloader added the images to his case files using 7-Zip (another great use for the program) to conserve space on his hard drive.
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