File compression is a popular way of reducing download times and making back-ups easier. Windows XP and Vista can both work with zip files but lack some more advanced features as well as the ability to use formats such as .rar

7-Zip has its own format for compressing files but it can create and read all of the common file formats such as .zip and .rar.

The main program window displays the files on your computer and compressed files appear as folders. From here you can view and extract files.

As well as the main program window 7-Zip integrates itself into the right-click menu in Windows Explorer. From this menu you can extract and test archives or add new files to them.