Traditionally the first choice when it comes to compressing and uncompressing files, WinZip is one of the most popular downloads of all time. Despite the fact that its competitors have caught up somewhat, it remains a simple way to archive programs and reduce file sizes.

Much of WinZip's success has been down to its simplicity. From the outset, the program prompts you to choose between Classic mode and Wizard mode. The wizard is great for beginners, although even the classic interface is easily negotiated, giving you instant access to a range of features such as compression ratios, password-protection and a Favorites list.

While archiving files in WinZip is quick and easy, you can't help but thinking that the program has lost some ground on its competitors. For instance, the compression rates aren’t as high as they are in WinRAR, and you can only save files in Zip format rather than RAR, ISO or JAR.

Nevertheless, WinZip performs its function well, helping you archive files quickly and effectively.

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You can tweak the 8 Zip for Windows 8 interface a bit by changing colors and backgrounds.

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Some will argue that WinRAR isn’t as quick as rival WinZip at compressing files. However, for the small time difference, WinRAR leaves you with a significantly smaller archived file at the end of the process. What’s more, the application allows you to save files into both .ZIP and .RAR formats, with bunches of options for speeding up compression times and reducing file sizes.

Although many newcomers might be put off by the sheer range of features and settings within WinRAR, the interface doesn’t take long to get accustomed to, and if you’re still really stuck there’s a simple wizard-based system that walks you through the process of extracting or compressing. All this adds up to make WinRAR a dependable utility that performs better than any other tool in its class.

Boasting more compression options, higher compression rates and smaller file sizes than WinZip, WinRAR is now the undisputed market leader in file compression.

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This application not only includes support for extracting virtually any kind of file compression format, it also reduces file sizes and runs on almost any version of Windows, from 98 to Windows 7.

Some will argue that WinRAR isn’t as quick as rival WinZip at compressing files. However, for the small time difference, WinRAR leaves you with a significantly smaller archived file at the end of the process. What’s more, the application allows you to save files into both .ZIP and .RAR formats, with bunches of options for speeding up compression times and reducing file sizes.

Although many newcomers might be put off by the sheer range of features and settings within WinRAR, the interface doesn’t take long to get accustomed to. If you’re still really stuck there’s a simple wizard-based system that walks you through the process of extracting or compressing. All this adds up to make WinRAR a dependable utility that performs better than any other tool in its class.

Boasting more compression options, higher compression rates and smaller file sizes than WinZip, WinRAR is now the undisputed market leader in file compression.

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It offers extensive support for various archive formats found on the Internet, such as ZIP, RAR, ACE, ARC, ARJ, BH, CAB, GZ, JAR, LHA, LZH, TAR, TGZ, Z, ZOO, XXE and UUE, without the need for any third party software.

PicoZip also integrates seamlessly to Windows to allow you to perform most archive operations from within Windows Explorer without having to run PicoZip first.

The integrated quick backup feature in PicoZip makes routine backups fast and easy. Just create a backup set with the necessary backup options and files to backup, then you can run it everytime you want to do the same backup.

Power users will appreciate the fact that PicoZip comes with powerful filtering, search and batch processing capabilities to make managing archives a breeze.

PicoZip is highly customizable, so you can make it work the way you want it. PicoZip is compatible with PKZip, WinZip and many other compression utilities.

Get PicoZip now to save time and money. Main Features:- Powerful yet easy-to-use, including optional Wizard interface for novice users. - Supports more file compression formats than other popular Zip utilities.

- Strong 128/256-bit AES encryption support. - Fast and easy automated backup makes routines backups as simple as two mouse clicks. - Integrated email support, including one-click Compress and Email from Windows Explorer.

- Integrated archive files explorer and favorites makes managing lots of archive files a breeze. - Seamless Windows integration allows you to drag-and-drop to or from Windows Explorer and Zip/UnZip without leaving Windows Explorer.

- Powerful batch features allow you to perform archive operations on many files at once. - Other features: Split Zip file, file filtering, repair damaged Zip archives, password protect archives, convert archive format, install from archive and much more.

- Lifetime FREE upgrade to all future versions of PicoZip for registered users. - Completely compatible with Windows XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95Competitive Comparison:

- Completely compatible with Windows XP/2000/NT/ME/98/95Competitive Comparison:

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It's pretty easy to fill up your computer with stuff nowadays. Even if you have a huge hard drive, there's still the risk of running out of space in short order. Good thing there are file compression programs like WinRAR Unplugged to help you make some room.

Much like other file compression programs like PeaZip and WinZip, WinRAR Unplugged's main goal is to give you more space on your computer. It does this by compressing files to make them smaller. Easy to use and navigate, WinRAR Unplugged's interface may not be much to write home about, but it gets the job done.

The program is also portable, meaning you can save it to a USB drive and take it with you on the go. You can compress files with WinRAR Unplugged virtually anywhere you go. In addition, the compression rate's second to none with this tool. You can also choose to make use of the non-portable but still highly popular version just called WinRAR.

WinRAR Unplugged is a great little file compression tool you can take with you anywhere you go.

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TUGZip is a powerful award-winning freeware archiving utility for Windows® that provides support for a wide range of compressed, encoded and disc-image files, as well as very powerful features; all through an easy to use application interface and Windows Explorer integration.

Features:

• Supports ZIP, 7-ZIP, A, ACE, ARC, ARJ, BH, BZ2, CAB, CPIO, DEB, GCA, GZ, IMP, JAR, LHA (LZH), LIB, RAR, RPM, SQX, TAR, TGZ, TBZ, TAZ, YZ1 and ZOO archives
• Supports BIN, C2D, IMG, ISO and NRG disc-images
• Support for external plugins
• Windows® shell integration, e.g. drag & drop, shell context menu and drop handlers
• Create 7-ZIP, BH, BZ2, CAB, JAR, LHA (LZH), SQX, TAR, TGZ, YZ1 and ZIP archives
• Script support which allows you to make automated backups
• Basic features like: add, extract, delete, rename, run, view, checkout, install, test, comment, SFX, virus-scanning, disk-spanning and much more
• Repair corrupted ZIP and SQX archives
• Can extract multiple archives at once using Multi Extract
• Encrypt archives using 6 different algorithms. Blowfish (128-bit), DES (56-bit), Triple DES (168-bit) and Rijndael (128-bit, 192-bit and 256-bit).
• Create self-extracting encrypted archives
• Automatic updates using the "Web Update" function

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Acubix PicoZip is an award winning file compression utility for Microsoft Windows users. Its intuitive user interface is extremely easy to use, while its wide ranging support for most file compression formats and comprehensive feature set makes PicoZip the only archive utility you will ever need. PicoZip is compatible with Zip files created by WinZip, PKZip and others.

Features:

• Simple and intuitive user interface
• Seamless Windows integration
• Fast and easy automated backup
• Integrated archive files explorer
• Powerful batch features to automate repetitive tasks
• Easy favorite archive folders management
• Strong 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption
• Built-in support for CD/DVD burning
• Create self-extracting archives
• Repair ZIP archives
• Split/Merge ZIP archives
• Convert archive formats
• Flexible filtering of files in archives
• Integrated email support
• Virus scanner support
• Quick access tray tool
• Customizable look using toolbar skins
• Recover password from Zip files

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