Best Free File Compression Software?

[cerebus]

Suggestions?

[Steve James]

I use IZArc http://www.izarc.org/
However, some people prefer 7Zip http://www.7-zip.org/
There are others, and there may be some newer ones.

[mrtoes]

I use 7Zip:

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

PeaZip does the job as well.

Matthew.

[Dmitri]

I've been using WinRAR for years... Don't know if it's free anymore (I think it's shareware these days?)

[nianfong]

I've used 7zip and it's ok. winrar is sorta free. they keep bugging me to buy a license but I haven't.

[cerebus]

Great, thanks guys!

[cerebus]

Okay... I downloaded the 7-zip, now... how do I use it? Yeah, I'm an IT dunce...

[meeks]

hmm... that's a good question. Say, do you still have the box your computer arrived in?

[Darth Rock&Roll]

Okay... I downloaded the 7-zip, now... how do I use it? Yeah, I'm an IT dunce...

It's not an IT situation.

start by opening the program. Then click on the help menu and use the help system to get you through the basics of how to use the software.

[cerebus]

Well, if there were a help menu listed I definitely would've gone there first, but I don't see any. What I see listed is this:

Lang
7z.dll
7z
7z.sfx
7zCon.sfx
7zFM
7zG
7-zip
7-zip.dll
7zip_pad
copying
descript.ion
History
License
readme
Uninstall
I've looked at these and they all look basically like gibberish to me...

[cerebus]

hmm... that's a good question. Say, do you still have the box your computer arrived in?

Yes, I do have the box, doubt that'll help with this problem though?

[Steve James]

What exactly do you want to do? Open a compressed file? Compress a file? Create a backup?

[Darth Rock&Roll]

start with the read me file.

then go here:

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

a lot of your questions can be answered here:

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

also, if you really want the expert help for your new shiny zero dollar product, always check the forums!

http://sourceforge.net/projects/sevenzi ... orum/45797

every piece of software there is has a forum about it. lol

[cerebus]

readme was the first file I went to. It was just the specs for the software, no instructions. But I'll check the other links you listed. Thanks...

[cerebus]

What exactly do you want to do? Open a compressed file? Compress a file? Create a backup?

I'd like to be able to compress files for sending via e-mail...