File Compression Software
Popular File Compression Software

The following list identifies the most commonly downloaded file compression software1. This provides a loose representation of the latest consumer trends, identifying what software people are interested in trying or buying:
WinZip is the original and most popular of all Windows ZIP file utilities. Wizard/Classic interfaces accommodate both first-time and experienced users. With WinZip you can quickly and easily compress and decompress files, folders, and entire folder trees to save storage space and reduce e-mail-transmission time, as well as encrypt and decrypt your sensitive documents. Features include tight integration with Windows Explorer, support for most Internet file formats, and one-click zipping and e-mail.
WinRAR is a 32-bit Windows version of RAR Archiver, an archiver and archive manager. RAR files can usually compress content by 8 percent to 15 percent more than ZIP files can. WinRAR's main features include strong general and multimedia compression, the ability to process non-RAR archive formats, ZIP compression and decompression, support for long filenames, programmable self-extracting archives (SFX), repair of damaged archives, authenticity verification, embedded file comments, and encryption. Unicode is supported in archive filenames, allowing non-English filenames to be handled painlessly. You can manipulate the parameters of many archives at once and view a volume sequence as a single archive. WinRAR can convert other archive formats to RAR and search for specified text and files in archives.
 
WinRAR 3.5 supports interface themes and Windows x64 context menus.
StuffIt Standard Edition for Windows makes it easy to access any download or attachment and to send files that transfer quickly and securely. The application can create self-extracting archives that open automatically and also can find compressed files quickly. It has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface and wizards to email and upload archives to FTP sites. The application has a StuffIt Catalog that tracks all compressed files, supports RAR and TAR files, and comes with corruption and privacy protection. StuffIt makes it simple to access e-mail attachments and downloads that were compressed on any platform, including Windows, Linux, Unix, and Mac. Plus, you can use the new drag-and-drop tools to open or view the contents of Zip, StuffIt, Tape, or other archives instantly.
WinAce is an archiving utility with an easy-to-use interface for creating, extracting, and viewing archives. It includes built-in compression for ACE, ZIP, LHA, and MS CAB formats, and built-in decompression for ACE, ZIP, LHA, MS CAB, RAR, ARJ, ARC, GZIP, TAR, and ZOO formats. You can create multivolume (disk-spanning) archives for ACE and MS CAB formats and self-extracting archives (SFX) for ACE and ZIP formats.
 
Version 2.2 adds support for Windows Terminal Servers, adds compatibility with Windows XP themes, and fixes compatibility issues with RAR 3.0 archives.
PKZIP from PKWARE is the original ZIP program. With the classic ZIP interface or integrated with MS Outlook, PKZIP compresses files up to 95 percent--saving time when emailing files, and space on hard drives, USBs or other portable storage devices. Easy set-up and a comprehensive HELP system make training unnecessary, but vendor support is available if you need it. Advanced features for power users include a choice of encryption methods, and optional administrative features streamline corporate use.
PowerArchiver is an archive utility that provides support for most compressed and encoded files, as well as access to many powerful features and tools through an easy-to-use interface that seamlessly integrates with Windows Explorer. PowerArchiver natively supports ZIP, 7-Zip, CAB, LHA (LZH), TAR, TAR.GZ, TAR.BZ2, BH, RAR, ARJ, ARC, ACE, ZOO, GZ, BZIP2, XXE, MIME, UUE, and YENC file formats, with compression profiles that store frequently used compression settings.
 
PowerArchiver creates and works with unlimited-size ZIP archives and features enhanced 7-Zip support to offer the highest compression ratios. Encrypt your archives using five methods, including 256-bit AES, and store your frequently used passwords. Back up your work with PA Backup Express and FTP support, and create powerful self-extracting (SFX) archives. Version 9.25 improves handling of bad ZIP files, and speeds up compression with certain file types and formats.