ZIP/Compression Utilities

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

What compression utilities does everyone use? I use WinZip at work, but don't have it at home and don't really feel that it's worth $30 for the amount of use I'd get out of it there. I've been trying several different utilities at home, and while they all work, some are slow and others are bundled with adware/spyware or other things I don't want or need. Any recommendations?

 

[mojo1701]

From time to time, when I REALLY need the compression, I use WinRar. It handles .zip as well, but I like its .rar format, for its better compression rates.

 

[Sephiroth]

You could give 7-Zip a try. It's opensource, so there shouldn't be any spy-/adware in it.
I haven't tried it myself since I use WinZip, but I have heard good things about it.

http://www.7-zip.org/

 

[Hand of Evil]

Winzip. I tried WINrar but disliked it.

Cthulhu's Librarian, you don't have to buy it, it is shareware and is useable as is.

 

[Bobitron]

I downloaded the trial version of WinZip at home, and have had no trouble. It has a pop-up everytime I open it that askes me to upgrade to the full version, but I haven't had any need to, even after a couple years of use. It lets me zip/unzip without any rescrictions that I have run across.

 

[reveal]

I prefer WinRAR because I've found the compressed sizes are slightly smaller than ZIP files. Also, you can split up RAR files and span them across multiple floppies; this is something you can't do with WinZIP.

 

[Cthulhu's Librarian]

Cthulhu's Librarian, you don't have to buy it, it is shareware and is useable as is.

Nope, not shareware any more. It's got a free trial period then it's $29 to buy it. I installed it, and next time I went to use it the trial period was over.

 

[IronWolf]

If I am paying money for one it is WinRAR. I like it so much better than WinZip.

If you are looking for a free one then 7-zip is a good choice.

 

[kingpaul]

I prefer WinRAR because I've found the compressed sizes are slightly smaller than ZIP files. Also, you can split up RAR files and span them across multiple floppies; this is something you can't do with WinZIP.

The help file included with WinZip (which I use), says you can. I haven't had the need to try to see how well it handles though.

 

[reveal]

The help file included with WinZip (which I use), says you can. I haven't had the need to try to see how well it handles though.

Hmmm... Well, I started using WinRar a long time ago because WinZip couldn't split archives. I guess I just never paid attention after that.