Windows includes basic functionality for zipping and unzipping files, but this is quite limited. It's worth keeping a file compression and extraction tool installed for those situations when you need something more.

Let's look at the best apps for handling compressed files on Windows.

1. 7-Zip

7-Zip File Manager with menu open

7-Zip is a no-frills, powerful compression and extraction utility. It's a popular open-source tool that works on every version of Windows and is completely free for home or business use, with no registration required. It installs in seconds and only takes up a few megabytes, making it a great tool for any use case.

To work with compressed files, you can open 7-Zip on its own and browse to a directory, or rely on its convenient File Explorer integration. Right-clicking on a file lets you access the 7-Zip menu, which can extract file archives, compress files, or show you what's inside an archive with just one click.

7-Zip supports a load of formats, including 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM. The 7z format provides a high compression ratio for large files, and geeks will love the app's command line integration.

The biggest negative of 7-Zip is that its interface is basic, not super user-friendly, and fairly ugly. However, given that you never have to open the app to use it, and that you'll only have it open for a moment when you need it, this is minor.

Overall, 7-Zip is great if you want a solid tool for any compressed files thrown your way and don't mind a no-frills presentation. For most people, it will do all that you ever need and won't ever get in your way.

Download: 7-Zip (Free)

2. PeaZip

Extract option in context menu of PeaZip

While 7-Zip is a classic favorite for handling compressed files, PeaZip is also worth considering for the job. It's not as slim as 7-Zip, but in exchange, PeaZip focuses on user-friendliness and attractive aesthetics. Novice users can install it quickly with default options, but those who want to tweak its behavior have plenty to change during the installation and in the menus.

PeaZip features a clean interface and an easy-to-use file browser in the program itself, giving it a leg up on 7-Zip. Its language is also friendlier than the often cold technicality of 7-Zip, letting you pick between friendly options like "best compression" and "no extraction software needed by the user," instead of confusing file formats.

PeaZip can convert compressed archives to other formats and repair damaged files. It uses easy-to-understand shortcuts in the File Explorer right-click menu, and you won't find any ugly icons here. It's open source and available in a portable version, if you like.

PeaZip is an attractive tool that's great for beginners and advanced users alike. We'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't know which archiving tool to try, especially if 7-Zip's looks turn you off.

Download: PeaZip (Free)

3. CloudConvert

CloudConvert Extract ZIP

If you need to quickly unzip or zip a file but don't want to install software, give the useful CloudConvert a try. This online service allows you to convert pretty much any file format to another compatible format, and it features dedicated pages for zipping files as well as unzipping them. You can convert 25 files for free each day.

While conveniently accessible, there's not much reason to use this over a desktop file converter. Depending on your internet speed, you could be waiting a while for your files to upload and download. You should also think twice before using online file converters for sensitive data. But as an alternative option in an emergency, it's good to know.

Visit: CloudConvert Create Archive | CloudConvert Extract Archive (Free)

A Note on Paid File Extraction Tools

You'll notice that each of our picks is available for free. There's a reason for that—while plenty of Windows software is worth paying for, compression utilities aren't. Any one of the above tools will take care of 99% of people's compression needs.

Paying (at least) $35 for WinZip or $29 for WinRAR is a complete waste of money that you can put towards better purchases. Those tools might offer a wealth of options, but the average person won't utilize them.

Keep Archiving Software Handy

We've touched on just a few of the many file compression tools for Windows. Plenty of alternative programs offer a stronger feature set or compatibility with more formats, but we like the above tools for their ubiquity, balanced feature sets, and ease of use.

If you work with zipped files all the time, you might require advanced software, but most folks will have a fine time with any of these options. They're more than sufficient for zipping a folder or opening a RAR you've downloaded.