7-Zip

7-Zip is the free, open-source file archiver that handles more compression formats than the tools built into Windows. It's a favorite among users who want a lightweight, no-nonsense way to zip and unzip files.

Why people love it

• Free and open source
• Supports a dozen-plus compression formats
• Built-in file manager
• More advanced features than the default Windows tools

Best for

Anyone who needs to compress, extract or manage archive files and wants a free alternative to paid archivers like WinRAR.