Unzipping and Compression Freeware

Many files you'll encounter for downloading on the Net are in compressed form. Typically, these files will have a "ZIP" extension. Many software sites compress files, so that you may download them quicker.
The only drawback to compressed files is that you must "unzip," (or decompress) them before you use them. Below, we feature the Web's best free tools for decompressing files. These tools will handle any type of compressed file you'll encounter. Besides the popular ZIP format, there are many other compression formats, such as Stuffit (.sit) files (for Mac users) and uuencoded (.uue), BinHex (.hqx), ARC (.arc), Arj (.arj), and gzip (.gz) formats, etc.
The most popular decompression tool on the Web is WinZip. It's an excellent, easy-to-use program. The only problem is that it's shareware, not freeware. After you download it, every time you use it, you'll get an annoying "nag" screen. (And for good reason: after all, if you use it, you're expected to register and pay for this commercial product).
However, the programs we list below don't have that problem: they're free, and in many cases are nearly as good, or as good, as WinZip.

• EasyZip 
  A powerful, easy-to-use freeware zip and unzip utility, EasyZip offers a good interface and all the bells and whistles of the most popular commercial archive programs. This program features integration with Windows (including extracting archives and zipping files directly from Windows Explorer); checking for viruses in archive; drag and drop; and more. (For Windows).

• CAM UnZip 
  This is an easy-to-use .zip file utility that lets you open, create and modify .zip files quickly. CAM UnZip offers many handy extra features, including password-protected .zip file support. It also lets you view files in an archive before you extract them. (For Windows). Free for personal use, but donations are accepted.

• StuffIt Expander 
  The classic decompression tool for the Mac is now available for Windows users. An easy-to-use free utility, StuffIt Expander can handle any type of compressed file you throw at it, including .zip files. It'll also handle uuencoded (.uue), BinHex (.hqx), and MacBinary (.bin), ARC (.arc), Arj (.arj), and gzip (.gz) formats. (For Windows and Mac).