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7-Zip 7-Zip is a free open-source file archiver, extractor and manager which supports most popular compression formats.
The utility is remarkable for the high compression ratio of its own archive format, .7z. The 7z archives can be considerably smaller than ZIP and RAR files, despite the fact that the compression process may take longer to compress and decompress. The list of compression formats supported by 7-Zip that can be packed and unpacked is not so impressive and includes 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR, the number of supported extraction formats is quite extensive and includes ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, DEB, DMG, HFS, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MSI, NSIS, RAR, RPM, UDF, WIM, XAR and Z.
A nice feature in 7-Zip is its file splitting option which allows you to divide one large file into a few smaller ones. It can be useful in case it is necessary to send a large file via e-mail or upload it on a website with certain file size limits.
Apart from that, 7-Zip can encrypt archive files using AES-256 algorithm which is capable of using cryptographic keys of up to 256 bits and is considered one of the top ciphers.
7-Zip doesn't eat up system resources and can be easily switched to background mode. It's interface is intuitive, however, some users believe it is quite plain and primitive.
Apparently, 7-Zip is not as popular as WinRar or WinZIP and doesn't have a whole lot of features to mark it out from file archivers of its kind. Still, it offers all the necessary options needed in an archive manager and it's performance is just great.
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PeaZip PeaZip is an open-source archive application that provides full support for well-known archive formats, such as 7Z, ARC, GZ, TAR, and ZIP, among others. Likewise, it is capable of reading and extracting more than 150 other file types, while providing you with a set of useful utilities that will allow you to check, view, encrypt, or convert archive files.
One of the features that make this all-in-one free tool stand out from the plethora of other similar file compressors (such as its renowned competitors WinZip and WinRAR) is its cross-platform nature. Its one-file-fits-all installer will allow you to use PeaZip on Windows, Linux, and BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution), as well as a portable app. The other outstanding feature is its support for more than 150 archive formats, including all the most widely used ones and a long list of less-known file extensions.
These two features, added to the fact that PeaZip will cost you nothing, are more than enough reasons to make you think twice before acquiring a file compression tool. If we throw in an extensive range of file management tools and utilities in the package, I find it hard to come up with a strong argument to go for a different app.
PeaZip will let you view an archive and add or delete files to it without having to extract it and re-create it again. You can also convert any of the supported 150+ file types into ZIP, TAR, WIM, and 7Z in a snap, and choose between a one-big-file output and a set of individual archives – one converted archive for each input file. You can also compare files, calculate checksum and hash files, and detect duplicates in a simple and highly rewarding way. Finally, you can also make use of PeaZip to shred archives for good using its free space or zero delete modes.
Security is another of the program’s strong points. PeaZip not only encrypts your archives using state-of-the-art encryption algorithms (AES256, Blowfish, Twofish256, Serpent256, or EAX), but also adds passwords and keyfiles to them for extra security. Locking your archives is extremely easy, and you can make use of the program’s password-related extra tools to create Fort-Knox padlocks for your most sensitive data.
Be it PeaZip’s unbeatable compression and archiving open-source technology, be it the wide range of highly useful tools that come with it, this is a tool that I would seriously consider when looking for an effective, safe, and versatile archive utility.
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IZArc IZArc is an archive utility that supports most archive formats like: 7-ZIP, A, ACE, ARC, ARJ, B64, BH, BIN, BZ2, BZA, C2D, CAB, CDI, CPIO, DEB, ENC, GCA, GZ, GZA, HA, IMG, ISO, JAR, LHA, LIB, LZH, MDF, MBF, MIM, NRG, PAK, PDI, PK3, RAR, RPM, TAR, TAZ, TBZ, TGZ, TZ, UUE, WAR, XXE, YZ1, Z, ZIP, ZOO.
With IZArc you can compress or decompress files in any format, spanning disks, self-extracting archives. It also repairs damaged zip archives, converts between archive formats. You can add comments inside the archives.
IZArc has built in support for 51 languages and variants.
Using the File Menu you can create new archives from your files. You´ll need to specify a name for that archive, and where do you want it saved. Then, choose the files you wish to include in it, and Accept. The program will create an archive in the format you want.
You can configure IZArc 3.81 to scan for viruses your archives, using an external program.
You can create .EXE files, convert one disc image to another format, encrypt or decrypt files and a lot more.
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HaoZip HaoZip is an archive program which supports RAR and ZIP files. It also contains a kit of additional tools such as an image viewer, an MD5 checksum tool, and a picture converter.
The interface is nice, providing big buttons and warm colors. The settings menu gives you the possibility to change the default theme; in addition, it enables you to select the target archiving formats. As I've already mentioned, this tool can make the compression to popular output formats: ZIP and RAR; at the same time, it supports decompressing various format files, including .zip,. 7z, and .rar.
However, I didn't like that a new application (an image viewer) was installed without my permission. If any change is made, I expect to be notified. Or, maybe I was informed, but I didn't realize it because I can't read Chinese hieroglyphs. Not to mention that the help page is also in Chinese. Still, the installation went well, as it was in English.
As a final conclusion, I can say that the program works fast and it is easy to use. Also, you don't have restrictions for setting a password. Nowadays, a password bigger than 8 characters is usually required, but this tool allows you to save only 3 characters.
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TUGZip TUGZip is a very strong freeware utility for archiving with Windows, which provides support for a large range of encoded, compressed, and disc-images files. It also includes very powerful features in a very easy-to-use application interface and Windows Explorer integration.
This new version repairs some of the most irritating bugs that were reported by users in forums or by email.
The developer states that development may be suspended for now but that it will be resumed in the future as it has now all that you need.
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Universal Extractor Universal Extractor is an application designed to extract files from any archive. It doesn't matter if it is a ZIP a RAR or any other kind of archive. One good thing about this application, besides the fact that it is universal by nature, is that it is really compact, which makes it accessible and easy to use.
You can even use this app to extract files from MSI installation packages. You can do any of the tasks that I have just mentioned with most archive extractors and creators, like WinZIP and WinRAR. But this application has the ability to extract all those files from a single location.
It should be noted that this application will not work to archive files; i.e. create a .rar file, for example. Its sole purpose is to give the user the ability to extract files from archives regardless of their format. It also tries to do without command line use. Universal Extractor is deeply connected to the Windows Shell, so that you can extract all your files by simple right clicking on them and selecting the option that fits your needs the most.
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Hamster Free ZIP Archiver There are many programs available on the market that can compress your files and create an archive, but not many of them are as handy as this free piece of software.
This friendly freeware allows you to create and open archives with great ease. This program is very easy to use because all you need to do is: add the files or folders, set the level of compression and select the output path. It's that simple. There are two ways of adding the files that need to be compressed. You can add the files either by selecting their path or you can drag-and-drop them directly to the interface (this is a much faster way and will save you a great deal of time).
Don't let the name fool you. This program doesn't only open ZIP files. It can open any type of archive that you can find. But it can only create .zip and .7z formats.
A great feature of this program is the fact that it lets you split your archives according to their usage. This way you can archive files that need to be emailed, sent through RapidShare or stored on a CD or DVD. All this is done according to the size of the output file. For a more secure transfer, this program gives you the option of locking your archives. Therefore, anyone that happens to get your archive won't be able to open it without the password.
In conclusion, this is a great piece of software that allows you to create and open archived files. With a professionally-built and elegant interface, this free piece of software definitely worths a try.
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