The best windows 7 archiver. Why archives are needed

Programs for working with archives (files that contain one or more other files inside) - the first thing that is installed on the computer after installation operating system... They are included in the set itself necessary software, since without them it is impossible to install on a PC not a single driver downloaded from the Internet, and many applications too. Each archiving program for Windows has its own strengths and weak sides and today we will try to find out which of these programs is the best.

Why are archives needed

Huge amounts of information are stored in archive formats today. Why? Because it is much more convenient than keeping it intact. The advantages are as follows:

• Archives take up less disk space than unarchived files.
• Archive formats support encryption and password protection, but regular files do not.
• One archive can contain a large number of files of any type and folders of any nesting depth (the nesting limit, of course, exists, but it is determined by the capabilities file system). That is, it can serve as a container for other objects.
• Archives are convenient for transferring files over e-mail and through file-sharing services, as well as to create installation distributions of applications. Most of them are supported by different operating systems, not just Windows.
• Large archives can be divided into parts (volumes) and stored separately, but files cannot.
• Some archives are able to unpack themselves without additional programs (more precisely, they are unpacked by the operating system).
• Individual archive formats can be used as disk images (yes, files ISO format- also archives).

These are the capabilities of archives in general, but their different types support different functions. The most common - ZIP, RAR and 7Z, are also the most functional, but apart from them there are more than 100 types of archive formats, each with its own purpose. In a word, we cannot do without archives and programs for working with them.

5 best archivers for Windows

WinRAR

WinRAR is perhaps the only archiver for Windows that everyone knows about. This is one of the oldest applications in its class, but despite its age and a lot of competitors, it is still considered the best of the best.

Strengths of WinRAR:

• High speed and compression ratio. Finished archives are 8-15% less voluminous than similar products.
• Making the most of the capabilities of multi-core processors.
• Automatic recognition of the type of content and selection of the optimal compression technology.
• Unpacking most of the existing archive file formats (over 50). Compression to RAR, ZIP, ARJ, CAB, TAR LZH, ACE, ISO, GZip, BZIP2, UUE, Z and 7Z formats.
• Support for creating multivolume and self-extracting archives.
• Supports 128-bit encryption and electronic digital signatures.
• The function of repairing damaged ("broken") archives.
• Built-in content scanning for viruses (it is not known how effective it is, but it exists).
• The function of quickly sending a compressed file (folder) by email, if a mail client is installed on the computer.
• Russian language support.
• Creation of quick access points to the main functions in the explorer context menu: pack, unpack, send the archive by email.

WinRAR is released not only for Windows, but also for Android. It has a convenient, intuitive interface, built like a Windows Explorer, so it does not take time to master.

The main and, perhaps, the only drawback of the program is that it is paid for. WinRAR can be used for free for 40 days, however, even after the expiration of this period, the utility retains its full functionality, and reminds of the need to reward the author with a pop-up window. The cost of a license to use WinRAR on all devices is $ 29.

7-Zip

A utility with a short and memorable name, 7-Zip, is more focused on working with 7Z files, but it does an excellent job with many others. Even more - it supports almost all existing archive data formats, including disk images (allows you to view and extract files from them),

The speed and quality of content compression in 7-Zip is not lower than that of Vin Rar, it also has support for the Russian language, but the most important thing is that you can download the program and use it for free. And no annoying windows.

Advantages of 7-Zip:

• Excellent speed and high compression ratio.
• Unpacking most of the existing archives (more than 50 formats), packing in 7Z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ.
• Create self-extracting 7Z archives.
• Strong encryption and password protection for 7Z and ZIP files.
• Intuitive interface, built like Windows Explorer.
• The function of sending archives by email, if a mail client is installed on the machine.
• Integration with by Windows Explorer- adding commands for packing, unpacking, including in an existing archive and sending by mail 7Z and ZIP files.

The disadvantage of the 7-Zip archiver is that many people call it that it is configured by default to work with the 7Z format, which is less reliable than ZIP and RAR, and in case of damage it is almost impossible to recover.

There is an opinion that 7-Zip and the 7Z format have a sacred connection with Windows 7, and do not work correctly on Windows 10, 8 and XP. Fortunately, this is not the case: the seven in the names is just a coincidence, and the product itself is also available in versions for Linux and other desktop systems.

WinZIP

WinZIP is another well-known archiver with a wide range of features that significantly outperform the competition. Sharpened for working with ZIP files, but supports many more.

Key features of WinZIP:

It is easy to guess that you have to pay for the use of these sweets. Free of charge WinZIP version operates with restrictions and only 21 days, after which its work is suspended. The license cost is $ 39.95.

- a simple, omnivorous and free archiver with support for many operating systems, including Windows. One of the few available in both installation and portable versions. Distributed under the GNU GPL (Free Open Source Software) license.

A key feature of PeaZIP is support for unpacking over 180 archive file formats, which is possibly a record.

Other strengths programs:

• Packing in BZIP2, GZIP, ARC, ZIP, PAQ, XZ, TAR, UPX, WIM, QUAD and some others.
• Creation of multivolume archives.
• The proprietary archive file format is PEA, with a high compression rate and resistance to damage.
• Built-in storage of passwords and keys.
• Built-in file shredder (shredder).
• Support for scripts for batch execution of commands.
• The installation version is integrated into Windows Explorer.

PeaZIP is a noteworthy product, especially considering that it is free, but with its main task - fast and high-quality packaging and unpacking, it performs worse than others. Archives are more voluminous and take longer to create than in analog programs. In addition, not every release of the utility supports the Russian language.

Before installing PeaZIP, check the bit depth of your Windows versions, since for 32 and 64-bit systems you need to download different distributions.

Developers position their product as the simplest utility for archiving files. And also pretty nimble. The check showed that they have reason to assert this, however, the "hamster" is trained to create archives in only two formats - ZIP and 7Z, although it unpacks many.

Advantages of Hamster Free ZIP Archiver:

Hamster Free ZIP Archiver successfully copes with the assigned functions - this is a plus. And support for only two compression formats is the biggest disadvantage. Another drawback is the constant opening of the developer's site in the browser.

The review did not include all existing archiving programs for Windows, most of which offer to download themselves for free and use without restrictions, but their presence would not change the order in our rating. The first places are consistently and deservedly taken by WinRAR - the best paid archiver, and 7-Zip - the best free. The rest can supplement them, but, alas, do not reach a full replacement.

Over the past few years, a huge variety of the latest storage media have appeared on the market, and the existing ones have been improved, becoming more capacious. Nevertheless, the need for data archiving is still in demand, so you should not neglect the choice of a good archiver for everyday use.

And if paid archiving programs are known to many, then free ones often leave a lot of questions.

Today we will try to determine the best free archiver. In this review, we will consider just a few applications that are most popular among users.

1.

7- ZIP is one of the very first and, perhaps, the most popular free archiver today. Differs in a whole list of features and benefits. Its compression ratio practically does not differ from its commercial analogue in the face of WinRAR. In addition, the program is distinguished by one of the best indicators for archiving in ZIP formats and GZIP, showing many times better results compared to other free counterparts.

Supported feature fine tuning... Of the advantages, a large number of compression algorithms deserves mention, as well as a whole list of integrated presets. The ability to open archives of a huge variety of formats is supported, while packaging is available only for 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR. Provides for the creation of multivolume archives.

2.

IZArc is not as widespread as the 7-ZIP described above, but it is not inferior to the latter in many respects, while, in our opinion, it has a more user-friendly interface. Creation of archive formats is supported for ZIP, 7-ZIP, BH, BGA, BZIP2, JAR, LZH, TAR, GZ, YZ1, when the list of unpacking formats is much larger.

Among the advantages of mentioning is the realized possibility of creating multivolume and self-extracting archives. Font encryption is supported, and compressed files have integrity checks and tools to troubleshoot detection errors.

3.

Another fairly popular archiver, which, interestingly, has its own archive format called PEA. However, support for all common formats is also present. In general, the functionality is similar to the programs described above, but some options are not fully implemented, which can cause some discomfort when working.

The advantages include cross-platform support, as well as support for various encryption algorithms for different compression formats. In addition, the developer offers to download PeaZip both in full (standard) and in portable versions... The main advantage of the latter is the ability to run the program from flash drives.

Results. The title of the best.

Summing up, I must say that choosing the best archiver among the free ones is not so easy, because it is simply impossible to predict the requirements of each user. Nevertheless, the most interesting is the archiver, which differs clear interface, as well as high performance, providing the highest compression ratio in comparison with other analogs.

Plus, working with 7-Zip is extremely easy. After installing the program, its functionality is added to the context menu of the operating system, so later all options are available by right-clicking. All you need to do is highlight desired file, select "7-Zip" from the menu and assign the desired task. If desired, it will be possible to "Open Archive", which activates the program manager with more complete access to all functionality.

Download archiver for Windows 7? What could be easier? Everyone is accustomed to the mega-popular WinRar and has not noticed for a long time that it is not free even for non-commercial use. But WinRar is not the only one. We have made a selection of the best free archivers that are not inferior in functionality and can easily replace their paid competitor. It's time to stop piracy and download one of the best archivers from our article for free to choose from.

The main functions of archivers

The archiver is computer program, which allows you to pack files into archives and unpack them back.

The main functions of archivers:

• Compression. To save free space on storage media and speed up data transmission over the Internet. The degree of data compression depends on the compression algorithm, which is different for each archiver.
• Data encryption and protection. To improve the security of storage and transmission of information.
• Packing files into a single archive or dividing them into blocks of equal size. For the convenience of data transfer.

The best free archivers

Previously paid WinRar really was the best archiver. The situation has changed dramatically in recent years. Yes, WinRar is still good, but it has some serious free competitors. They are in no way inferior in most parameters, and sometimes even surpass the former leader of the industry. In this section, we offer to download archivers for Windows 7 absolutely free.

7zip

At the moment, 7-zip is rightfully called the best free archiver. Its main advantage is a high data compression ratio, which is achieved thanks to its own compression algorithm in the 7z format.

Key Features:

• The most efficient data encryption algorithm. Proprietary 7z archive format.
• Support for most popular formats, including RAR 3 used in paid WinRar.
• Creation of self-extracting archives in 7z format. It is convenient to use if there is no archiver at hand to unpack later.
• Own file manager for the convenience of working with archives.
• Integration into Windows. Archive any file from its context menu.

Download:

WinArc

A relatively new free archiver offering good functionality. When installing, it is advisable to cancel the installation of additional components from Yandex.

Key Features:

• Multi-format... Support for over 450 formats.
• Usage regulation function random access memory during archiving... Helps with archiving large amounts of data.
• 4 encryption algorithms. For reliable information protection.
• Increased speed of archiving.

PeaZip

Another interesting archiver. To install the Russian interface language, select the "Localization" item in the "Options" menu and open the file ru.txt.

Key Features:

• There is a portable version. Convenient to use without installation.
• Pea's own format. Flexible encryption system and integrity control.
• Support for a large number of formats.
• AES-256 data encryption standard. For reliable information protection.
• Archive search without unpacking.
• Generator of passwords and keys. The program itself can come up with a strong password according to all the rules applied to protect data.

Everyone knows that archiving files is very good way compress various data to a smaller size so that it takes up less space on your hard disk or so that it is easy to transfer using external storage devices.

You need to compress files well on your computer, but you don't know which archiver is the best for this? Are you satisfied with the compression, but the lack of functionality of the program is annoying? WinZip, WinRar and 7Zip - which archiver is the best for your computer?

Today, there are a huge number of programs for archiving files and data. We will not talk about all of them, since many of them are ordinary clones of popular applications. Or they are not at all worthy of attention. Archivers such as WinZip, WinRar and 7Zip are the market leaders in such programs. Each of them deserves special praise, but why not make a firm decision and choose one of them?

Comparison of archiving programs WinZip and WinRar

Let's start with a comparison Today, there are a huge number of programs for archiving files and data. We will not talk about all of them, since many of them are ordinary clones of popular applications. Or they are not at all worthy of attention. Archivers such as WinZip, WinRar and 7Zip are the market leaders in such programs. Each of them deserves special praise, but why not make a firm decision and choose one of them? We will do this because these programs are almost identical, however, for the second time they have been talking with admiration about their functionality. WinRar is distinguished by its support for a huge number of settings and compression technologies. Knowing how to use this program correctly, you will be able to compress files to the minimum size.

Another distinguishing feature of WinRar is that it supports WinZip archives and handles them just as well as the first application. Why choose WinZip? However, if you need a simpler interface and professional processing of zip files, then it is ideal for you.

7Zip: simplicity and speed

Now is the time to talk about the third application. As we said, it is called 7Zip. You learn about its advantages as soon as you do the first launch. This is the most simplified archiver that fits into the context menu of the right mouse button in a very convenient way. Its design is no different from normal operating room windows. Windows systems 7. Such simplicity allows you to understand it in just 10 minutes.

It differs in that it supports both zip and rar files, however, it also has its own archive format with the 7z extension. The 7zip archiver boasts the highest data compression rates among all three leaders. However, its functionality is poor. Such a program is suitable for beginners who do not often have to work with archives. We hope that our article has helped you in choosing the archiver that best suits your requirements.