Quick overview:
Whether for downloads, sending and receiving emails or archiving data - even in times of huge hard disks and online storage such as Dropbox, packing programs are an indispensable aid. Windows itself can pack and unpack files in zip format, but that's about it. All other file formats are excluded. The use of a packing program therefore still offers great advantages. We present the best programs.
1. Winzip
The classic! Winzip in the current version 16.5 (from € 35.50) offers, as usual, a range of functions that go beyond a pure packing program - such as data encryption and the option to write files directly to CD, DVD or Blu-ray disc. Compressing and unpacking files is extremely convenient. Winzip can only create three formats (Zip, ZipX, LHA), but can read considerably more formats (e.g. RAR, 7Z).
2. WinRAR
The WinRAR packer has also been on the market for a long time. The software (current version 4.20) still impresses with one of the most effective compression methods. A small disadvantage: WinRAR can only create Rar and Zip files. The number of supported formats for reading and unpacking, on the other hand, is very large. WinRAR is shareware - you can test it for 40 days free of charge, then you have to purchase a license (from approx. € 35). You can download WinRAR here, for example.
3. Power Archiver
Much more than packing and unpacking The Power Archiver program can also do this. In the current 2012 version (from € 19.95), the software can compress in four different file formats (including Zip, ZipX, RAR) and open 20 other formats. Power Archiver also provides extensive support for file archiving, such as creating and burning ISO files and editing Blue-Ray media. The integrated multi-core support for modern processors speeds up compression enormously - several files can be processed simultaneously.
4. 7-Zip
One of the best known Packing programs from the freeware scene is 7Zip. With 7z, it offers its own file format, but also supports a large number of formats, both when packing (Zip, WIM, GZip) and unpacking (ARJ, CAB, DMG, FAT, RAR ...) files. As the name Freeware suggests, the installation and use of 7Zip is free of charge, but the user interface is also rather sparse.
5. TugZip
TugZip is a free, lean and therefore easy to use Extremely fast packing programwhich can process many formats (including Zip, 7z, RAR) and is intuitive to use. The packer uses a view that is similar to Windows Explorer, making it easy for users to get started. Although TugZip has not been updated for some time (last version 3.5), it is still one of the best freeware packing programs.
6. PeaZip
Another free packing program - and in several versions: PeaZip is available as a 32- and 64-bit version, for Linux computers and as a portable version for all those who do not want to install any software on their computer. The current version 4.7.2 supports a large number of formats (Zip, 7z, WIM, ARC, Tar). If desired, PeaZip protects the created archives with a password.
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It's great that the programs are presented and the pros and cons are listed, but a conclusion at the end as to which device has the edge would have been very cool.
7-ZIP is of course at the front. Even my university has installed it in the computer pool.