7-zip rar files vs. compressed files?

My question is this. What is the difference between the 7-zip rar files and when I use the selection of compressed file (zipped) on a file? What is the rar files?

I rarely send zipped files. I used to have WinZip on my old computer. My generic desktop minitower PC has XP Pro, SP3, Office 2003. (In addition, awhile back I upgraded to Office 2007 but found totally lame and went back to 2003). A few reciepents some PDF files of architectural plan say they can not open my files when I send them with 7-zip. Sometimes it is 30-60 page pdf construction plans.

Please explain.

It depends on what you mean by "better"?

I'm looking for a file compression utility that can work with various compressed formats.
Are you willing to pay for a file compression utility, or do you want a free?
Looking for a file compression utility that makes smaller files?

In the end, it basically boils down to personal preference.  Here is a site that claims to have received "more than 500 comments" in order to select the most popular file compression utility: http://lifehacker.com/5065324/five-best-file-compression-tools

And, if you are interested in self-promotion, here's how 7-zip compares its ability to file with some other compression: http://www.7-zip.org/

Personally, I'd go with free rather than pay $29 for WinRAR, WinZip or PKZip.  For most people, the ability to built into Windows zip file is sufficient.  If you are likely to get files compressed in a variety of formats, 7-zip is probably the way to go (packing / unpacking: 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, and WIM;) Unpacking only: ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DEB, DMG, FAT, HFS, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, VHD, WIM, XAR and Z).

Tags: Windows

Similar Questions

  • Correpted are all my downloaded EXE and ZIP, RAR files... Why?

    Hi all!

    I have a laptop Dell Inspiron 1520 (Intel Core2Duo T7250 2 GHz, 4 GB of RAM DDR2, 160 GB Sata HDD, Mobile Intel 965 Express Chipset graphics, Bluetooth, WiFi, Broadcom 440 x 10/100 Integrated Controller... etc.) preloaded with Vista 32 Bit ultimate and I always updates, so now it has SP1 and all updates until May 17, 2009... This laptop is connected to the Internet via the Ethernet cable and switch to my home network, and if a servere Office Vista via WiMAX adapter is connected to the Internet.

    To surf the internet, I use Google Chrome and Internet Explorer 8, attended with Internet Download Manager, and everything was wonderful until last week, when suddenly any compressed or executable file that is downloaded from the Internet are corrupted... Downloads are completed successfully, but when I try to extract the files from the RAR or ZIP, any executable files are then failure of the CRC, also if I had any type of files that is split in two between the RARs, these are also corrupt... For the downloaded EXE or MSI file types, a CORRUPT file message is shown on the screen. I tried to use two internal browsers download manager and with the IDM: same results...

    I checked my HDD using several HARD disk controllers (Norton Disk Doctor, Segate & Maxtor HARD drive... tool etc) and my RAM with memtest86: everything is OK, also as all other downloads are not affected (for example, PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, movies...), I am sure that the problem is with Vista.

    Is there a solution to this problem?

    PS: I don't want to reformat my laptop because it is full of data and few software...

    [qoute] Thank you very mach Avatar for your compliments... you made me blush!

    A final solution for my problem: SIMPLY replace the old switch with a new, for me I replaced it with a wireless access point...
    I use Sysinternals Suite as many times to fix the virus Autorun of computers, but never used to diagnose network problems. I read about them. [/qoute]
    Update(18/7/2010): I found the culprit: I was just appliedOverclocking on the server, just at the moment when the problem started, and settings of the motherboard back by default, all worked OK. It was difficult to find, but when I tried to replace the motherboard - as a final trial - with a newer version, it worked perfectly, but when I changed the settings for the new motherboard to apply improvements overclocking, I was surprised by the return of the problem.
    So the solution is: try to DISABLE overclocking options in the settings of your motherboard!
    Thanks again for helping me and keep in touch...
    Your own;
    Ahmad M. Raoof
  • What is the best way to open a RAR file?

    I downloaded a RAR file, but cannot open it.

    I downloaded a RAR file, but cannot open it.

    Download a copy of the open source 7-Zip freeware to manage your ZIP/RAR files, archiving needs. Note that freeware, there are absolutely No fees associated with 7-Zip. If someone asks you for money, then you are in the wrong place.
  • I can't download the rar files on about 500 MB with my new PC.

    I just bought a new 1 to PC with windows 7. I download a lot of games with Winrar 32/64-bit, but I can't get this new machine to download rar files larger than about 500 MB. Nothing more that it stops and says just the file is damaged or I'm missing a .dll's (maybe not the correct letters?). My friends are DL'ing the same files in the same place without any problem. I have about 850 GB of free space, because I lost everything on my last PC. How should I proceed? I don't know anything about PC
    Thank you
    Lige perry

    I solved my problem! I went to ' down them all "(an add-on Firefox) as my zip/rar file down loader and I'm back in business. In fact, it's much faster than Winrar ever was.
    Thank you
    Lige perry

  • Cease to block ZIP and RAR files

    Is there a way to stop windows blocks zip and rar files. I just download a huge file to work and it came to 130 files rar (rar-r129) and I have to right click on each, then properties, unlock, apply each time. Why when grouped you need to do all alone is stupid and wasting time of many users. I can't afford to spend an hour clicking because someone didn't think the user when coming up with this correction of violation of security possible and most of the users would ignore it anyway, so I want it scrap all together and I would like to learn how in Windows 7.  Thanks in advance.

    Hello CleeVon,

    Thank you for the update.

    You can check the following thread and see if this is useful because the same issue was discussed here in it. Follow the steps in ITknowledge24:

    http://answers.Microsoft.com/en-us/Windows/Forum/Windows_7-Security/Windows-7-security-blocks-potentially-harmful-file/4f9a3014-06BC-46e6-802C-154f3de1ea38

    I hope this helps. Please do not hesitate to write to us for more and we will be happy to help you come.

  • How to make windows media player to read rar files

    How to make windows media player to read rar files

    Windows Media Player cannot play RAR files.

    RAR files are not video/audio files, they are compressed files. If there is video/audio files in the RAR file, you must first open and extract from RAR file.

    You can use 7 - Zip to create/open/unpack RAR files and other compressed files.

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

  • What do I need open and run a WIN RAR file sent to me?

    WIN RAR

    What do I need open and run a WIN RAR file sent to me?

    A third-party compression program that can decompress this file.  Windows does not have any integrated other than "ZIP" compression algorithm

    WinRAR is not a Microsoft application.  You are welcome to buy it and install it, of course.

    You may be able to use the free 7-Zip to decompress the compressed files, that you received.

  • How can I open a rar. file on mac?

    I got a file in rar format and unfortunately I can not open

    How can I open a rar. file on mac?

    Thank you for your support

    It must 'open' (UN-compress/extract) using the Nations United-archive by double-clicking

    http://appletoolbox.com/2015/10/how-to-extract-RAR-files-on-Mac-OSX/

    Where did this come from?

  • Microsoft has a tool for rar files

    Microsoft has a tool to extract a rar file or a site approved by microsoft, where I can get the tool

    7zip is a program very free and open source, it is not a Microsoft one, but I use it all the time.

  • «"Could not load the duration reinstall MSVCRT70."» DLL' is the message that I get when I try to open a RAR file

    Please oyu could help me solve my problem? I downloaded the RAR files and tried opening them unfortunately I couldn't. I still got the same message over and over again "cannot load duration reinstall msvcrt70.dll. The problem is that the DLL that is asked is almost unknown on the net.

    Does anyone have an answer?

    In addition, I have Windows XP Professional SP3

    Hello

    To open RAR files, you need a RAR unpacker/uncompressor.

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

    I hope this helps.

    Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Bike - Mark Twain said it right.

  • rar files

    What are rar files and how to open rar on windows vista files.   Some programs that I download are in .rar format and I would like to know what they are and how to open and view the

    See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAR
    "... Third-party programs that can only read RAR (extract) files include 7-Zip (cross-platform), IZArc (Windows)... »

    I hope this helps. Vincenzo Di Russo - Microsoft MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Desktop Experience & security - since 2003

  • How to open a RAR file?

    Cannot open a RAR file. What program I Windows 7 open files zipped without having to download Winzip?

    You can use WinRAR or 7Zip.

    http://www.RarLab.com/

    http://www.7zip.com/

  • I can't open rar files

    I have windows 7 and accidentally click on open with, selected adobe reader 9, since I couldn't open them more. I downloaded winzip because it was recommended to open these files, but it didn't work so I uninstalled. What can I do now? Please tell me if you can.

    You can download 7Zip (www.7-zip.org) or WinRAR (www.rarlabs.com) to open RAR files.
     

    --

    Dustin Harper
    E-mail address is removed from the privacy *.
    http://www.mstechpages.com  Microsoft News, support, FAQ, and much more!

    "elquenosabenada" wrote in message News: 3c55ed42-b7cd-4911-a229-c459e6f7afb0...

    I have windows 7 and accidentally click on open with, selected adobe reader 9, since I couldn't open them more. I downloaded winzip because it was recommended to open these files, but it didn't work so I uninstalled. What can I do now? Please tell me if you can.

    Dustin Harper * address email is removed from the privacy * http://www.mstechpages.com---aide Windows and Support Page

  • I need a free software to open rar files

    I need a free software to open rar file

    I need a free software to open rar file

    http://7-zip.org

  • My pc is not the right codec to play my video winrar or rar file... How do I fix it or install the right program or codec? You can do this from your location make sure you?

    How to fix this program or to see a rar to my video file, I think that I need a program winrar or the support team can install remotelly?

    A rar file is compressed. You are directly, but get the compressed and then read it.

    WinRAR is a utility that allows you to open or create compressed files rar... do a search on the internet for this.

Maybe you are looking for