Interestingly, Ashampoo Zip Free also gives previews of files before you extract an archive. Many of the options shown on the main splash screen are links to paid applications like dedicated encryption and decryption tools, but don't let this put you off all the essentials that you'll find in other free file compression software are present and correct, including archive creation, extraction, repair, and multi-volume ZIP writing.

Ashampoo Zip Free is a rare exception, with a clear interface and an optional touch mode with larger, tap-friendly icons. Many free Winzip alternatives hide their best features behind a complex system of menus. The only key feature it's missing is the ability to repair damaged archives - other than that, it's a truly exceptional program.

You can apply password protection to packaged archives and split them into volumes, which is handy for sharing particularly large archives. 7-Zip can also create self-extracting 7z archives. Its own 7z format is designed for high compression, and is supported by almost all file archiving tools – both paid-for and free – making it an ideal choice for sharing. You can locate files to be archived using a simple Windows Explorer-style file tree, or drag and drop them into the main window.

It's only 1MB in size, and can pack and unpack just about any compressed file archive you can throw at it.ħ-Zip isn't the most attractive WinZip alternative around, but it's so well designed that you won't miss the slick interfaces of its paid-for equivalents. 7-Zip is open source, meaning it's completely free, even for commercial use.

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