Five Apps: Compress and manage archive files

By matt nawrocki August 22, 2013, 8:32 AM PDT

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Five Apps: Compress and manage archive files

Five mostly free apps for compressing archive files in Windows

Thisrngallery is also available as a TechRepublic article.

When you need to save disk space, backup data or send filesrnback and forth to others quickly and efficiently, the best way is through filerncompression. You can use the ZIP archive utility which is baked right into thernWindows operating system to get the job done. However, the ZIP file format isrnfairly limited in compression capability and is lacking in extra options. Ifrnyou are looking for a power user style replacement that can support multiplernarchive types, there are some gems out there for handling archives in Windowsrnwith great power and flexibility.

rnrnCredit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

7-Zip 1

Five Apps

rnrn

1. 7-Zip

rnrnCreated by Russianrnprogrammer Igor Pavlov, 7-Zip has set the gold standard for file archivernutilities. Although the user interface is probably not the most intuitive forrnnovices, the settings are quite customizable and the ability to really takernfull control over 7z output settings really helps you wring out every last bitrnof savings possible in your archives. The software is licensed under an LGPLrn2.1 license, making this suitable for home and commercial use.

rnrnCredit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

7-Zip 2

Credit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

ALZip 1

2. ALZip

rnrnUnlike the aforementionedrn7-Zip tool, ALZip aims to deliver a very easy user interface that is morernstraightforward and WinZip-like in its arrangement, yet supporting more archivernformats in the process. ALZip used to be a commercial product with a price tag,rnbut it was recently re-released as a free utility, simply by using the freernproduct key provided on the download site.

rnrnCredit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

ALZip 2

Credit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

PeaZip 1

3. PeaZip

rnrnThis utility supports overrna dozen different archive formats for opening and creating, just like the otherrntools I mentioned. An interesting stand out feature, however, is the passwordrnmanager, which allows you to keep track of passwords for archives without thernneed to memorize them. PeaZip is licensed under the LGPLv3 and is available asrnfreeware.

rnrnCredit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

PeaZip 2

Credit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

WinRAR 1

4. WinRAR

rnrnThough this product isn’t freeware,rnhowever, the trial mode is quite generous and lets you test out all thernfeatures of the utility. Also, I find the SFX (self-extracting archive) creatorrnto be one of the better ones available, allowing you to go all out inrncustomizing destination path, package icon, and a command run area for setuprnprograms. If you do decide to register your copy of WinRAR, it’s only $29.99,rnwith prices that go down as you purchase additional licenses.

rnrnCredit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

WinRAR 2

Credit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

Universal Extractor 1

5. Universal Extractor

rnrnThough not designed torncreate any archives, Universal Extractor extracts from many kinds of packages,rnincluding InstallShield archives and binary blobs as well as more exoticrnformats, using handy deep filescan technology. The tight integration with thernWindows right-click context menu is superb and you are always just a few clicksrnaway from dumping your files to a directory.

rnrnCredit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

Universal Extractor 2

Disclaimer:rnCBS Interactive Inc. is not responsible for the content of the publisher’srndescriptions or user reviews on this site. We do not encourage or condone thernuse of any software in violation of applicable laws. CBS Interactive Inc. doesrnnot sell, resell, or license any of the products listed on the site. We cannotrnbe held liable for issues that arise from the download or use of thesernproducts.

rnrnCredit: Images by MatthewrnNawrocki for TechRepublic

By matt nawrocki

An avid technology writer and an IT guru, Matthew is here to help bring the best in software, hardware and the web to the collective consciousness of TechRepublic's readership. In addition to writing for TechRepublic, Matthew currently works as a Cus

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