7-Zip is a free and open source file compression app that you can use to achieve very high compression rates with virtually any type of file. Unlike other similar programs, you don't need to register or purchase 7-Zip in order to use it. Once you install it on your computer, you can use it personally and professionally without restrictions of any kind.
Once you've installed 7-Zip, you can use it directly from the context menu by right-clicking on any file, whether it's compressed or not. If you right-click on a compressed file in a supported format (7z, ZIP, CAB, RAR, ARJ, GZIP, BZIP2, TAR, CPIO, RPM, or DEB), you'll see a series of options, such as decompressing directly in the file's directory or decompressing in a separate folder. If you right-click on an uncompressed file, you can easily add it to a compressed file.
There are tons of options for adding documents to a compressed file. Of course, the first thing you have to do is choose a name for the compressed file you want to create; after that, you can choose the desired output format, the compression level, the compression type, and more. You can also encrypt the file using a password, or you can split it into fragments of different sizes.
One of the most interesting aspects of 7-Zip is the degree of compression it can achieve with certain formats, which far exceeds that of other similar tools. It's important to keep in mind that this is usually a double-edged sword, because, generally speaking, the more a file is compressed, the longer it takes to decompress. The difference, in any case, is minimal, especially if you take into account the amount of disk space you can save.
7-Zip is one of the best compressors out there. This program is completely free, offers a large number of features, and takes up very little space on your hard drive. For all these reasons, it's one of the best file compression tools you can find.
Frequent questions
Is 7-Zip better than WinRAR?
Yes, 7-Zip is better than WinRAR in many ways. First, it can compress to a greater number of formats and with higher degrees of compression. Secondly, it is totally free of charge.
Is 7-Zip free?
Yes, 7-Zip is completely free and open source. The program is free for both personal and professional use.
Is 7-Zip safe?
7-Zip is totally safe. The program shows zero positives in VirusTotal and has an impeccable safety record. Since it's open source software, it's also possible to take a look at the code.
Does 7-Zip require a license?
No, 7-Zip does not require a license of any kind. The program is completely free of charge and does not require a license. Any website offering 7-Zip licenses is probably trying to mislead you.
What is the difference between 7-Zip and the portable version?
The only difference between the standard version of 7-Zip and its portable version is that the latter doesn't require installation. Otherwise, it can compress and decompress the same formats as the standard version.
Comments
Very well!
Don't even think about installing another program to extract .zip, .rar files, etc... This is the best, fastest, and free without any hassle.
I was hesitant to uninstall Winrar from Windows, but since I dared to replace it with 7zip, I haven't had any issues.