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Free ZIP file software recommendations?
nick205 - 25/8/16 at 08:38 AM

Hi All,

I currently use 7-Zip 9.22 Beta free software for ZIP files (creating, opening etc). It seems to work OK, but I wonder what others are using and if anyone has any particular recommendations (or avoids)?

Thanks,
Nick

GreigM - 25/8/16 at 08:59 AM

Stick with 7-zip, just update it (now up to version 16)

nick205 - 25/8/16 at 09:15 AM

Thank you - I've now updated to version 16.02 (64 bit), which continues to work fine on my HP (Windows 7 pro) work laptop.

r1_pete - 25/8/16 at 09:38 AM

Zip processing is built into win 7.

Apologies if this is a suck eggs or doesn't work for your needs:

In file explorer, right click the file you want to zip

Select send to -

Compressed (zipped) folder

It will create a zipped file in a folder with the same name, rename the zip file to whatever you want.

Add additional files into the zip by clicking and dragging

loggyboy - 25/8/16 at 10:03 AM

its been built in since XP.

mcerd1 - 25/8/16 at 10:20 AM

I still like winrar - its always worked for me and has the option to do rar files other fancy compressed formats too

it also makes self-extracting files, multi volume ones, extra encryption and so on....

http://www.rarlab.com/


[Edited on 25/8/2016 by mcerd1]

stevebubs - 25/8/16 at 11:46 AM

WinRAR or 7-Zip if the built-in functionality isn't good enough for you...

britishtrident - 25/8/16 at 12:12 PM

Pea Zip is the most dependable I have had problems with 7-Zip and some passworded archives

nick205 - 25/8/16 at 01:59 PM

My previous XP laptop certainly had built-in ZIP functionality - having just uninstalled 7-ZIP my Windows 7 laptop doesn't seem to have anything built-in. Back to 7-ZIP for me as it works and seems reliable enough.

loggyboy - 25/8/16 at 03:01 PM

Should be there in 7 - right click file - send to - compressed folder.
If missing try -
microsoft help link

[Edited on 25-8-16 by loggyboy]

[Edited on 25-8-16 by loggyboy]

Slimy38 - 25/8/16 at 04:31 PM

The built in compression isn't very efficient, isn't very quick and can get very confused when you want to preserve folder structure. 7zip is my preferred option for free, or if I was going to pay for something I'd go straight for winrar.

nick205 - 26/8/16 at 08:29 AM

quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Should be there in 7 - right click file - send to - compressed folder.
If missing try -
microsoft help link

[Edited on 25-8-16 by loggyboy]

[Edited on 25-8-16 by loggyboy]



Thanks for the info.

Right click on a file brings up the "Send To" option and I can create a zipped file. Then trying to open it again doesn't work. Personally 7-ZIP works for me so I'll stick with it (it's free too).

MikeRJ - 26/8/16 at 08:40 AM

I've used 7-Zip for years, never had any problems with using either zip or 7z compression.

The built in zip support in windows is useful for opening compressed files if you have nothing else available, but it's very, very basic.

gingerprince - 26/8/16 at 11:21 AM

7-zip here too.

In-built is OK but doesn't support password protected zips.