7-Zip is a free, Open Source archiving software that supports many of the common archiving formats. Because 7-Zip is open source, there are no nag screens or annoying trial periods with the software. This is a great alternative to the pricey WinZip archiver program.

Some of the formats 7-Zip recognizes are:

• Packing / unpacking: 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR
• Unpacking only: RAR, CAB, ISO, ARJ, LZH, CHM, Z, CPIO, RPM, DEB and NSIS

If you are a home based user and need to zip or unzip a file, 7-Zip is the answer for you!