7-Zip- free archiver files, offering a high compression ratio. The program is an analogue of the popular WinRAR, but is distributed absolutely free.

The 7-Zip archiver is easy and simple to use. Its intuitive and user-friendly interface translated into 60 languages, which makes the program quite universal. One of the main advantages of 7-Zip is that the archiver has a powerful file manager, plugin for FAR Manager. The program can be built into Windows Explorer and self-extract 7z archives.

Among other things, 7-Zip has a high compression ratio and works with files 7z, ZIP, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR (packs/unpacks) and archives of RAR, RPM, ARJ, LZH, CAB, Z, CPIO, CHM, DEB formats ( unpacks).

The 7-Zip program supports AES 256-bit encryption and can work with such popular archives as RAR (including RAR3 and CAB), ZIP.

Main characteristics of the 7-Zip archiver:

• the program supports the following formats: 7z, ZIP, MSI, CAB, RPM, Z, DEB, LZH, NSIS, RAR, ARJ, CHM, WIM, GZIP, BZIP2, CPIO, ISO, TAR and RPM;
• 7-Zip offers a very high compression ratio in the 7z format;
• working with ZIP GZIP formats, you get a compression ratio 2-10 percent higher than in WinZip and PKZip;
• creation of self-extracting archives for 7z format;
• archive encryption;
• presence of a built-in file manager;
• shell integration operating system Windows;
• availability of a plugin for FAR Manager programs and Total Commander;
• strong support command line;
• The multilingual interface also includes Russian.

The 7-Zip application is a serious player in the world of archivers, whose main trump card is its own LZMA algorithm, which “compresses” files into the 7z format. This free archiver differs from its “competitor colleagues” WinRAR and WinZIP in its slower operation, while the “reduced” speed is easily compensated by much more high degree compression. As a result, 7-Zip is great for working with giant files, and this “strongman archiver” can work 30% more efficiently than its faster competitors.

At the same time, 7-Zip is not as secure as WinZIP or WinRAR due to the lack of a virus scanner, but this program has no less capabilities. 7-Zip works with big amount archival formats and contains the following convenient tools like update and splitting modes.

I think every computer user should download 7-Zip for free, since the program is truly irreplaceable and also has a free status.

In addition to archiving itself, 7Zip can encrypt compressed data. For this, a reliable 256-bit AES encryption algorithm is used. The program is free to download and is distributed with open source source codes. Download 7Zip free for windows 7. The program has a simple Russified GUI user.

Creating an archive

7z archiver supports several data archiving formats, so it is possible to select the required archive format. By default, the program uses its own format – 7z. It is he who provides best quality compression. ZIP and TAR formats can also be used.

If you need to restrict access to the archive, you can protect its contents with a password. To ensure a higher degree of data protection, the program can encrypt file names, which will not allow you to guess their contents by name.

Extracting files from an archive

To extract files from an archive, you need to select the desired archive or file in the archive in the main window of the 7Zip program and use the button Extract or the menu command file 7 –zip Unpack (if instead of the Unpack command you select Unzip here, the program will automatically unpack the archive into the current folder)

Performance test

7Zip contains a built-in test of computer performance when archiving data. To run the test, you must use the menu item Service - Performance testing. After selecting this menu item, the PC testing window will appear. By default, the program itself correctly determines the number of cores and threads in your installed processor. The developers of 7Zip for Windows 7 recommend running a performance test immediately after installing the program in order to be sure of its functionality on this computer.

7-Zip- popular version archiver for the operating room Windows systems with increased compression rates. It is the leader among the family of paid and free programs.

TO distinctive features This archiver needs to be attributed to the fact that it supports 265-bit AES encryption. Can work with popular RAR archives, including RAR 3, CAB and ZIP. On any specialized website you can download the 7-zip archiver for free.

7z archiver

In general, this archiver provides the following features:

• supports decompression formats: CAB, MSI, DEB, ZIP, 7z, Z, RAR, ARJ, LZH, CHM, GZIP, WIM, TAR, CPIO, RPM, ISO, NSIS, RPM, BZIP2;
• supports ZIP, 7z, BZIP2, GZIP and TAR archiving formats;
• shows the highest compression ratio in 7z format with LZMA compression;
• compresses GZIP and ZIP formats 2–10% more than WinZip and PKZip;
• 7-Zip archiver provides the ability to encrypt archives;
• has a built-in file manager;
• integrated into Windows;
• has a plugin for FAR Manager, as well as in Total Commander, Windows Shell;
• works from the command line with advanced capabilities;
• has multilingual support, the archiver is translated into 74 languages ​​(you need to download 7 Zip rus);

Just download the 7-Zip archiver, and excellent software With open source with a mixed GNU LGPL license, unRAR is closed. It is free to download without any hidden fees, but there is also the possibility of volunteering to help the project.

The versatility of the archiver and free delivery imply its popularity. To use it effectively, you just need to download and install the 7z archiver on your computer. In 99% of cases, the provided formats are sufficient for successful work with archives.

Strong 256-bit encryption allows it to be used in secret archives or, if desired, pack the archive with a high compression ratio. For maximum compression, you can use a proprietary format. The archiver’s capabilities complement each other well and confidently place it in a leading position in the ranking of paid and free archiver programs. The project is developing quite rapidly, which means regular updates that are available to users. It is expected that the 7 Zip project will in the near future maintain its leading position and promote the new 7z format.

An archive is simply one file in which other files are compressed to make it smaller. overall size. If you still sigh when you receive another file in a ZIP, RAR, 7-Zip or any other archive, then this article is for you.

For those who like to watch, I’m posting a video:

The easiest way to extract a ZIP archive

ZIP archives are regular files with a “.zip” extension. In fact, you don’t need any programs to simply unzip files from ZIP; everything is already built into Windows Explorer 7/8/10. Just right-click on the file and select “Extract all...” from the menu.

A dialog box will appear where you will need to specify the path to unpack the files, or leave it as default (current folder). As you can see, in the example I have a “Checklist.zip” file with a zipped Word document.

If you leave the “Show extracted files” checkbox enabled, then at the end of the unzipping procedure, another Explorer window will open with a new folder open. Or you can not unpack the files at all, but go into the archive like a regular folder and open the desired file from there.

How to unpack RAR archive

Unfortunately, Explorer cannot work with RAR files. For them you need to install one of the programs that will be discussed. The free program 7-Zip has long established itself as a simple and free archiver. Can unpack files 7z, zip, rar and others.

Using the program is almost as simple, just right-click on the file and select one of the items from the “7-Zip” submenu:

• “Unpack” – to open the extraction dialog
• “Extract here” – to simply extract the files to the current directory
• “Extract to “Folder Name” - extract files to a folder with the archive name (I recommend)

The simplest are the second and third options, because... do not require any further action. If you select the first option, the following dialog will appear:

Here we can specify our path for the files. If you select the “No paths” option, then all files from the archive will be in one heap, without subfolders. The “Overwrite” parameter is responsible for the mode of overwriting existing files. By default, the program will ask about each such file.

You can extract files not only from the right-click menu. If you double-click on the file, it will open in the 7-Zip program window. To unzip files, simply select them and click the "Extract" button

Alternative free method - Hamster Lite Archiver

I also want to introduce you to one newfangled program Hamster Lite Archiver. It is even simpler, free and has a modern interface. After installing it, new items also appear in the Explorer context menu. To unpack rar archive or zip, right-click on it and select one of the options:

• Extract files… - opens a dialog window
• Extract Here – extracts files into the current folder
• Extract to “Folder name” - unzip to folder

Although the points context menu in English, the program itself is in Russian. Apparently we haven’t gotten around to translating these points yet, but by the time you read this article the situation may have already improved. The dialogue looks like this:

Universal program WinRAR

The WinRAR program is very widely used for working with RAR archives, I only use it. The program is possible. Look immediately for the Russian version in the list. Installing WinRAR It’s very easy, just click “Next” all the time. The program is paid, but with a trial period of 40 days. After graduation trial period WinRAR continues to work, but it starts to bother me with a window reminding me about the license every time I start it.

To unpack a RAR file, or any other archive, just right-click on the file and select one of the options:

• Extract files... - the unpacking dialog will open
• Extract to current folder – contents will appear in the current folder
• Extract to "folder name" - unzip the contents into new folder with the archive name (I recommend)

The most simple options this is the second and third. If you select the first option, a dialog will appear in which you can specify the specific path where your files will be placed and a few more parameters:

Update Mode:

• Extract with file replacement - if the folder already contains the same files as in the archive, then they will be replaced with new ones
• Extract with file update is the same, but only older files will be replaced
• Update only existing files– only the update will occur, the remaining files will not be extracted.

The “Overwrite mode” items are responsible for the behavior of the program when replacing existing files.

Using this dialog, you can unpack a damaged or incomplete archive. By default, if a file has an error, it will not be unpacked. If you check the “Leave damaged files on disk” checkbox, then the damaged archive will be partially unpacked. If it is a video or music, then it can be opened. But, of course, the completeness of the resulting file will depend on the degree of damage to the archive.

You can also unpack files from the WinRAR program window. To do this, it is enough to select necessary files and click on any of the buttons: “Extract...” or “Master”.

WinRar will also help you organize a backup of your information.

Please note that after installing any of the listed programs, the standard “Extract...” menu item for ZIP archives may disappear from Windows Explorer.

How to unpack a multi-volume archive

Multi-volume archives are created to split one huge archive into several small ones. In this case, there will be numbers at the end of the file names, for example.z01, .z02, .z03 or part1, part2, part 3 or 001, 002, 003, etc. To unpack this multi-volume archive you will need ALL the parts, otherwise nothing good will come of it. The unpacking process itself is no different from the usual one.

You just need to unzip the first file from the list in the usual way, and the rest will be picked up automatically.

If, in addition to the numbered parts, there is also a “regular” archive, then it is this file that needs to be unpacked, it is the main one.

Please note that multi-volume ZIP archives created by WinRAR can only be unpacked with the same program! Other programs give an error and even if you crack! And vice versa, WinRAR does not understand multi-volume files created by other programs.

Conclusions:

So, pull the files from zip archives, rar, 7z can be done using Windows Explorer (ZIP only) or using the free programs 7-Zip and Hamster Lite Archiver, as well as using paid program WinRAR. Choose a method that is convenient for you and use it for your health!

Imagine how grateful your friends will be if you share this information with them in in social networks! By the way, you can also create your own archives using these programs.