File Compression Software for Windows
Eight archivers read from each developer's own pages on 24 October 2026. Windows 11 already opens ZIP, RAR, 7z and TAR files on its own, according to Microsoft, so the table below matters most if you need encryption, creating RAR files or support for older Windows. Several pages print no version, date or price, and the table says so.
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Archiver versions, licences and Windows support
| Program | Latest version | Released | Licence | Windows | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Zip | 26.05 | 21 Oct 2026 | LGPL (mostly) | 2000 to 11 | Free |
| WinRAR | 7.23 | Date not printed | Paid, 40-day trial | 10, 11 | Paid (price not printed) |
| PeaZip | 11.4.0 (download page) | Not printed; GitHub lists 11.3.0 on 26 Sep | Open source (LGPL3) | Any, 32 and 64-bit | Free |
| Bandizip | 7.47 | 13 Oct 2026 | Free and paid editions | 7 to 11 | Free; Pro price not printed |
| NanaZip | 7.0 (2610.1) | 22 Oct (year not printed) | Not named in README | 10 (2004+), 11 | Not stated |
| WinZip | Not printed | Not printed | Paid subscription | 10, 11 | Paid, billed annually |
| PowerArchiver | 22.10.02 | Date not printed | Paid, perpetual | 7 to 11, Server | From $22.95 |
| Explzh | 10.01 | 18 Jan 2026 | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Scope: figures are copied from the eight File Compression program pages, each of which lists its sources. Where a developer's own pages disagree, the program page shows both values.
Choosing by price, format and Windows version
Three tools state no price or a free one: 7-Zip (free, mostly LGPL), PeaZip (free, LGPL3) and Bandizip's free edition. WinRAR, WinZip and PowerArchiver charge, with trials of 40, 21 and 30 days. 7-Zip can unpack RAR but, per its own page, not create it.
For older Windows, 7-Zip names Windows 2000, PeaZip's 32-bit page names Windows 2000 and XP, and PowerArchiver lists Windows 7 and later. WinZip lists only Windows 10 and 11. Archivers are frequent security targets, so prefer a tool with dated release notes: 7-Zip, Bandizip and NanaZip all list recent dates.
The eight archivers
What Windows already does
Microsoft's support page on zip files says built-in support in Windows 11 version 24H2 covers "ZIP, RAR, 7z and TAR archive formats," and that 7-Zip compression and decompression are supported. For Windows 10 and 11 you right-click a file or folder, choose Show more options, then Send to, then Compressed (zipped) folder, and Extract All reverses it. The page adds two limits: Windows does not support operations on encrypted archive files, and encrypted files added to a zipped folder are decrypted when extracted. For encrypted archives it suggests tools such as 7-Zip or WinRAR.
That makes the practical question for most readers narrower than it looks. Opening ordinary archives needs no extra program on a current Windows 11. A third-party archiver earns its place through encryption, a wider format list, repair or scripting features, or Windows versions that lack the built-in support.
Price model and trial length side by side
| Archiver | Price model | Trial | Windows named | Latest listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Zip | Free, open source (mostly LGPL) | None | 2000 to 11 (home page) | 26.05, 21 Oct 2026 |
| WinRAR | Paid after trial | Up to 40 days | 10 and 11 (home page) | 7.23, date not printed |
| PeaZip | Free, LGPL3 | None | Any, 32 and 64-bit | 11.4.0 (page) or 11.3.0 (GitHub) |
| Bandizip | Free edition; paid Professional | Not mentioned | 7 to 11 | 7.47, 13 Oct 2026 |
| NanaZip | Not stated | Not applicable | 10 (2004 or later) | 7.0 (2610.1), 22 Oct |
| WinZip | Paid, billed annually | 21 days | 10 and 11 | Not printed |
| PowerArchiver | Paid, perpetual licence from $22.95 | 30 days | 7 to 11, Server 2008 R2 to 2025 | 22.10.02, not dated |
| Explzh | Not stated | Not applicable | Not stated | 10.01, 18 Jan 2026 |
Scope: each program's own pages on this site, read 24 Oct 2026. "Not stated" means the pages read give no statement.